Is St. Petersburg or Sweetwater Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sweetwater is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 36/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,170 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 30% lower. St. Petersburg has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sweetwater has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 12.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sweetwater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg, FL
Sweetwater, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | St. Petersburg | Sweetwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,080.8 | 2,170.5 | +910.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 621.9 | 101.3 | +520.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 0.0 | +6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 43.4 | 0.0 | +43.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.5 | 53.1 | +28.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 487.9 | 48.2 | +439.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,458.9 | 2,069.2 | +389.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 209.4 | 48.2 | +161.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,029.8 | 1,664.0 | +365.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 219.6 | 356.9 | -137.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Petersburg or Sweetwater safer?
Sweetwater is safer with a total crime rate of 2,170 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
St. Petersburg has a violent crime rate of 621.9 per 100K while Sweetwater has 101.3. Sweetwater has lower violent crime.
About St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Sweetwater, FL
Sweetwater, Florida, a small city in Miami-Dade County, is home to a significant Cuban population, reflected in its cultural landscape. Originally developed in the 1930s around a planned alligator farm, it sits west of Miami International Airport. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 20,733, Sweetwater has a total crime rate of 2,170.5 per 100,000 residents.