Is Tacoma or Yelm Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Yelm is safer than Tacoma (Safety Score 36/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100,000 versus 6,667 for Tacoma — 68% lower. Tacoma has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Yelm has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Tacoma is 20.7x 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
Yelm — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tacoma, WA
Yelm, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Tacoma | Yelm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,666.7 | 2,153.4 | +4,513.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,063.0 | 277.3 | +785.8 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 0.0 | +9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.9 | 64.7 | +3.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 184.4 | 27.7 | +156.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 801.0 | 184.8 | +616.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,603.6 | 1,876.2 | +3,727.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 669.7 | 286.5 | +383.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,521.3 | 1,478.7 | +2,042.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,412.6 | 110.9 | +1,301.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tacoma or Yelm safer?
Yelm is safer with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100K vs 6,667 for Tacoma — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Tacoma has a violent crime rate of 1,063.0 per 100K while Yelm has 277.3. Yelm 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 Yelm, WA
Yelm, a small city in Thurston County, is known for its rural character and views of Mount Rainier. Historically a logging and agricultural hub, it has seen a recent population increase, drawing new residents to its quiet, forested surroundings. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 10,820, Yelm has a total crime rate of 2,153.4 per 100,000 residents.