Is Tampa or Winter Haven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Winter Haven is safer than Tampa (Safety Score 47/100 vs 43/100), with a total crime rate of 1,785 per 100,000 versus 1,913 for Tampa — 7% lower. Tampa has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Winter Haven has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Tampa is 6.9x 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
Winter Haven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tampa, FL
Winter Haven, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Tampa | Winter Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,912.7 | 1,784.7 | +128.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 447.3 | 235.5 | +211.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.8 | 6.7 | +2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 41.9 | 5.1 | +36.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.0 | 23.6 | +35.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 335.0 | 200.2 | +134.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,465.3 | 1,549.2 | -83.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 167.4 | 161.5 | +5.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,154.5 | 1,278.4 | -123.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 143.4 | 109.3 | +34.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tampa or Winter Haven safer?
Winter Haven is safer with a total crime rate of 1,785 per 100K vs 1,913 for Tampa — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Tampa has a violent crime rate of 447.3 per 100K while Winter Haven has 235.5. Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven, FL
Winter Haven, "The Chain of Lakes City," is a Polk County city in Central Florida. It was once home to Cypress Gardens, Florida's first theme park, which significantly shaped its tourism-dependent economy. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 59,450, Winter Haven has a total crime rate of 1,784.7 per 100,000 residents.