Is St. Petersburg or West Palm Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Palm Beach is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 24/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,714 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 12% lower. St. Petersburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Petersburg has a 49% lower rate.
Note: St. Petersburg is 2.1x 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
West Palm Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | St. Petersburg | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,080.8 | 2,713.8 | +367.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 621.9 | 575.8 | +46.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 7.9 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 43.4 | 59.3 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.5 | 159.0 | -77.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 487.9 | 349.6 | +138.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,458.9 | 2,138.0 | +320.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 209.4 | 307.7 | -98.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,029.8 | 1,801.8 | +228.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 219.6 | 28.5 | +191.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Petersburg or West Palm Beach safer?
West Palm Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 2,714 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
St. Petersburg has a violent crime rate of 621.9 per 100K while West Palm Beach has 575.8. West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach, FL
West Palm Beach, separated from Palm Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway, was founded by Henry Flagler to house railroad workers. This city in Palm Beach County is a diverse urban center with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 126,427, West Palm Beach has a total crime rate of 2,713.8 per 100,000 residents.