Washington is a haven for anyone who loves the outdoors. The Evergreen State is deeply tied to its natural beauty, with stunning mountain ranges, luscious rainforests, clear blue lakes, and sprawling national parks. A strong economy, booming job market, and zero income tax make things even better!
There are plenty of reasons that make the State of Washington an attractive place to live. But how safe is it? Despite its laid-back vibe, Washington doesn’t always turn up among the safest states in America. In fact, in recent years, it has reported higher rates of crimes in several places.
But, of course, this doesn’t apply to every city in the state. A quick reverse address search will confirm that some neighborhoods in Washington are exceptionally safer than others.
So, which cities rank high for safety, and which should you avoid? Here’s what AreaVibes’ rankings reveal.
Safest Cities in Washington
Brier
If you prefer the suburbs but don’t want to live too far away from the urban districts, Brier (population: 6,899) is one of the top options to consider. It’s home to family-friendly neighborhoods with spacious houses, excellent schools, good healthcare options, quiet streets, and lots of greenery. (Little wonder the city has an impressive livability score of 83/100!)
And the best part? Brier has an outstanding safety track record. The total crimes there amount to around 32 per calendar year. That works out to about 78% below the national average (when calculated per 100k people). To put it in another way, Brier is safer than 65% of cities in the nation.
Sultan
Anyone who enjoys the small-town feel is going to love Sultan (population: 5,330). Its communities are tight-knit, with everyone knowing pretty much everyone. Besides, it’s a great place to get close to nature, stepping away from the urban buzz.
Sultan has also done well when it comes to providing a secure home for its residents. There were only 44 reported incidents of crime during the year in this sleepy suburb. That is around 647 per 100k people, which is 72% below the national levels and 80% lower than the average for Washington.
Sammamish
A high livability score of 87/100 says it all about life in Sammamish, WA. At 65,265, the population of this city is relatively higher than in most other safer communities in the state. Its residents’ median age is also comparatively low at 38.9 years. But Sammamish has done an admirable job in offering a secure, thriving environment for those who live there.
Crime per 100k people in this city is just 673. That is way below Washington’s average of 3,244 per 100k residents and the national average of 2,281. This makes Sammamish safer than 82% of cities in America.
Ocean Shores
This is another small town with a stellar reputation for safety and high-quality living. As the name implies, Ocean Shores is lined by the beach (although you might not be able to enjoy it so much because of the chilly weather). Its population of 6,196 is notably older, with a median age of 62.4 years. (This is likely a reason behind its low crime rates).
Talking about crime, reported incidents at Ocean Shores are 67% below the U.S. levels (per 100k people). Plus, overall crime has decreased by 48% YoY, and the chance of becoming a victim remains at 1 in 134.
Connell
This friendly little town of 5,518 residents has a median age of 38.9 years. So, rest assured, it has enough entertainment, restaurant, and recreational options despite a laid-back vibe. This is on top of its stunning outdoors that can keep you occupied for hours.
Located by the Columbia River, Connell also boasts a highly secure living environment. There were only 38 crime incidents per year there. Calculated per 100k people, that translates to 848, a figure 63% below the national average and 74% lower than the state level.
Most Dangerous Cities in Washington
Fife
The cost of living in this 10,345-people city is 29% above the Washington average. To make things worse, it doesn’t seem to fare well in terms of safety, either. Property crime rate (which considers burglary, theft, and vehicle theft categories), for instance, is alarmingly high there at 9,885 per 100k residents. (Compare that with the average for Washington and the U.S. of 2,887 and 1,917, respectively!).
On the plus side, Fife has done a remarkable job when it comes to factors like employment, housing, and schools. It’s also known for its diverse culture and warm and welcoming residents.
Tacoma
With a population of 215,766, Tacoma is a larger city marked by breathtaking landscapes, outdoor recreational options, exciting cultural venues, diverse cuisine, and lots of community events. Exceptional amenities, employment opportunities, schools, and healthcare also make it a popular place to live.
But one downside you can’t ignore is Tacoma’s high crime rate. Crimes that involve violence (such as murder, robbery, rape, and assault) there are 1,243 for 100k residents. To put that in perspective, Washington and the U.S. report a violent crime rate of 357 and 364 per 100k people.
Tukwila
Most people settle down in Tukwila because of its diverse community, good amenities, excellent commuting options, open green spaces, buzzing commercial activities, and its central location, which gives quick access to city hubs.
However, Tukwila certainly has some issues in terms of safety. Its total crime rate is 18,796 per 100k people. That is nearly six times the average for Washington and 8.2 times the crime level in the country! Not surprisingly, Tukwila ranks among the bottom 3% of U.S. cities for safety.
Seattle
A population of 741,251 makes Seattle the most populous in Washington. The median age there is around 35.2 years. But it also attracts older residents with its top-quality amenities, commuting options, healthcare, and recreational and cultural activities. It’s known for its thriving economy and career prospects, too.
Unfortunately, crime is fairly prevalent in Seattle, and the number of crimes per 100k residents there is noted as 5,789. That is 154% higher compared to most places in the country. And both violent and property crimes in the area are well above the Washington average.
Lakewood
Just ahead of Spokane in AreaVibes’ ranking of the most dangerous cities in Washington state is Lakewood. This sleepy suburb’s population has been on the rise and today stands at 60,564 residents.
Life in Lakewood can seem quiet and serene for many outsiders, considering its stunning natural landscapes. However, crime data paints a different picture. Although there has only been a marginal increase in reported incidents YoY, total crime per 100k people there is 149% above the national average.
To Sum It Up
If you’re thinking of moving to the State of Washington, avoiding unsafe places is a must for your peace of mind.
According to AreaVibes’ findings, Brier, Sultan, Sammamish, Ocean Shores, and Connell offer the safest communities in the state. Fife, Tacoma, Tukwila, Seattle, and Lakewood, on the other hand, record exceptionally higher crime rates.
If you look closely, most of the areas with low crime in this list are less populous. But population size doesn’t necessarily correlate with crime data. Factors like poverty, unemployment, and fewer law enforcement resources can all account for safety issues.
Remember, every community has its own pros and cons. Reviewing them objectively is important before selecting an area to relocate.
FAQ
Is Eastern Washington safer than the Western Washington cities?
Most crime statistics point to Eastern Washington as being safer than the western parts of the state (think about places like Connell and Yakima).
But this isn’t always the case. Although areas with higher crime like Fife and Tacoma belong to Western Washington, you can also find some of the safest cities like Brier and Sultan there, too.
Which U.S. state has the lowest violent crime rates?
According to a Safe and Sound Security study, Maine ranks in the top position among U.S. states for the lowest violent crime, with 1.03 incidents per 1,000 residents. It’s followed by New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Wyoming.
New Mexico appears at the bottom of this ranking, with 7.80 crime reports for every 1,000 people.
What American cities rank high for property crime?
Based on FBI data of the 45 most populous cities in the U.S., Memphis, TN, Portland, OR, Oakland, CA, Denver, CO, and Seattle, WA, have the highest property-related crimes per capita.
This includes arson, larceny, burglary, and vehicle theft.
Where in the USA is the highest public safety?
New Hampshire ranks number one for public safety in America in 2025. The state’s admirably low violent and property crime rates and impressive ranking for crime and corrections likely contributed to this.
Maine, Idaho, Rhode Island, and Connecticut also seem to do well in assuring their residents’ safety.
How can I check a city’s safety levels before relocating there?
Fortunately, there are several online resources available today for you to discover how secure a specific city and its neighborhoods are.
FBI Crime Data Explorer is one of the top tools for you to get access to accurate and verified crime statistics. Apps like NeighborhoodScout, online news sites, social media, forums, and communities can also provide useful insights.
About the author
Chief Technical Officer at Nuwber
With nearly two decades of experience in the IT industry, Eugene possesses comprehensive knowledge across his professional field, including in data management, data protection, and information search. Through his writing, he aims to provide valuable insights and practical advice on how to safely explore the online environment and leverage digital tools to enhance people’s lives.
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