Is St. Petersburg or Tampa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Tampa is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 43/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 38% lower. St. Petersburg has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Tampa has a 40% lower rate.
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg, FL
Tampa, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | St. Petersburg | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,080.8 | 1,912.7 | +1,168.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 621.9 | 447.3 | +174.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 8.8 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 43.4 | 41.9 | +1.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.5 | 59.0 | +22.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 487.9 | 335.0 | +152.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,458.9 | 1,465.3 | +993.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 209.4 | 167.4 | +42.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,029.8 | 1,154.5 | +875.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 219.6 | 143.4 | +76.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Petersburg or Tampa safer?
Tampa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
St. Petersburg has a violent crime rate of 621.9 per 100K while Tampa has 447.3. Tampa 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 Tampa, FL
Tampa, a Gulf Coast city, boasts a rich Cuban heritage from its cigar industry days. It's a diverse port city situated on Tampa Bay, with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 408,646, Tampa has a total crime rate of 1,912.7 per 100,000 residents.