Is Tacoma or Yakima Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Yakima is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 27/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,590 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 61% lower. Tacoma has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Yakima has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Tacoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Yakima — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma, WA
Yakima, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Tacoma | Yakima | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,666.7 | 2,589.9 | +4,076.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,063.0 | 545.3 | +517.8 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 15.5 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.9 | 37.3 | +30.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 184.4 | 59.0 | +125.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 801.0 | 432.5 | +368.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,603.6 | 2,044.6 | +3,559.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 669.7 | 354.9 | +314.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,521.3 | 1,411.3 | +2,110.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,412.6 | 278.3 | +1,134.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tacoma or Yakima safer?
Yakima is safer with a total crime rate of 2,590 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Tacoma has a violent crime rate of 1,063.0 per 100K while Yakima has 545.3. Yakima has lower violent crime.
About Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, nestled on Commencement Bay, boasts a rich industrial past, once a major port for timber and rail. Today, this diverse city, home to over 200,000 residents, features a vibrant arts scene and stunning views of Mount Rainier. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 223,980, Tacoma has a total crime rate of 6,666.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Yakima, WA
Yakima, nestled in a valley east of the Cascade Mountains, is known for its agricultural abundance, particularly apples. This city of roughly 97,000 residents is a hub for the surrounding fertile farmlands. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 96,646, Yakima has a total crime rate of 2,589.9 per 100,000 residents.