Is Tampa or West Palm Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tampa is safer than West Palm Beach (Safety Score 43/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100,000 versus 2,714 for West Palm Beach — 30% lower. Tampa has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tampa has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Tampa is 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Tampa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Palm Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tampa, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Tampa | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,912.7 | 2,713.8 | -801.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 447.3 | 575.8 | -128.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.8 | 7.9 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 41.9 | 59.3 | -17.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.0 | 159.0 | -100.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 335.0 | 349.6 | -14.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,465.3 | 2,138.0 | -672.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 167.4 | 307.7 | -140.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,154.5 | 1,801.8 | -647.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 143.4 | 28.5 | +114.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tampa or West Palm Beach safer?
Tampa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,913 per 100K vs 2,714 for West Palm Beach — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Tampa has a violent crime rate of 447.3 per 100K while West Palm Beach has 575.8. Tampa has lower violent crime.
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.
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.