A Complete Guide on the Top 10 Safest Cities in Washington

Compared to the nationwide violent crime decrease of about 4.5 percent, Washington state saw over a 9% drop in total crime in 2024. This sharp decline in crime is due to the safest cities in Washington, including Brier and Sammamish. 

However, some of its dangerous cities, such as Seattle, continue to rank among the nation’s highest in property crime. Such a mixed crime scene compels people to search for the safest areas in Washington before making a move. 

Throughout this article, we will familiarize you with cities that report violent and property crime rates well under the United States averages. Read till the end to learn the best security tips to stay safe even if you have to move to the crime-heavy neighborhoods. 

How Are the Safest Cities in Washington Ranked?

We ranked these cities by analyzing recent crime statistics from Areavibes (which uses FBI-reported data) and NeighborhoodScout. Cities received higher rankings if they had better crime ratings on AreaVibes. NeighborhoodScout’s victimization odds (1-in-N chances) were used to confirm the analysis. 

Is Washington Safe to Live? A Quick Answer

Washington is a moderately safe place to live, as major cities like Seattle and Tacoma have higher crime rates than the country’s average. For example, Seattle’s burglary rate (1152 per 100k residents) is nearly 184.5% above the United States average among the nation’s worst.

By contrast, many Washington small towns and cities (Brier, Sultan, Sammamish) enjoy very low crime. In fact, the ten cities below have total crime rates 40 to 70% below the United States average. 

Overall, violent crime is generally lower, so you only have a 1-in-280 chance of being a victim here. In practice, most Washingtonians avoid trouble by steering clear of high-crime areas and following common-sense safety measures.

What Are the Top 10 Safest Washington Cities?

The following Washington’s safest cities stand out for their exceptionally low crime rates, as mentioned on the AreaVibes platform.

1. Brier

Brier consistently tops lists of the safest cities in Washington. Its total crime rate is roughly 78% below the national average, earning it an A crime rating. Brier averages only about 0.2 crimes per day, which works out to roughly a 1-in-201 chance of any crime victimization. 

On top of that, this city has only about a 1-in-2153 chance of violent crime and a 1-in-223 chance of property crime. All in all, this exceptional safety is credited to Brier’s small population and proactive local policing.

2. Sultan

The Sultan's total crime rate is about 72% below the national average. Moreover, its crime incidents average just 0.25 per day (about 0.04 violent and 0.21 property). Notably, Sultan reported zero murders in the most recent year, which earns Sultan a B+ rating.

Therefore, its residents enjoy a very low overall crime risk (on the order of 1-in-155by simple calculation). Local experts attribute Sultan’s safety to its rural setting, well-funded police, and active community programs. 

3. Sammamish

Sammamish is one of Washington's safest cities, with a crime rating of A+. Its overall crime rate is about 70% lower than the United States average (violent crime 64% lower than other USA cities). Residents experience roughly 1.76 crimes per day (0.11 violent, 1.65 property), which equates to about a 1-in-149 chance of any crime.

The violent crime odds in Sammamish are about 1-in-4070, and property crime odds are 1-in-154. Its overall safety is attributed to its high incomes, excellent schools, and extensive parks.

4. Mercer Island

You face roughly a 1-in-1455 chance of violent crime and about a 1-in-86 chance of property crime in Mercer Island. Moreover, the violent crime rate is well below the national average, while property crime is moderately above national norms for communities of similar size.

Other than that, this city has an A rating due to its low level of overall crime. The situation is further improving, as the year-over-year crime has decreased by 31%. Local authorities point to active community policing and stable households as key contributors.

5. Connell

Connell’s crime statistics are remarkably low, as its overall crime rate is about 63% below the national average. With an A+ rating, this safest city in Washington faced only 6 violent crimes (134 per 100k) and 32 property crimes (714 per 100k) last year. 

This totals about 0.14 crimes per day, or roughly a 1-in-118 chance of being a crime victim. No homicides were reported within this city. 

6. West Richland

Having a commendable A+ crime rating, West Richland's crime rate is around 62% below the United States average. This safest Washington city had only reported 20 violent crimes (108 per 100k) and 140 property crimes (755 per 100k).

While living in this city, you have a 1-in-116 chance of becoming a victim of any kind of crime. The situation is getting even better with over 30% decrease in crime here over the years. 

7. Camas

According to the reports, Camas has an overall crime rate about 54% lower, and its violent crime rate is about 93% lower than national norms. Specifically, violent crime sits around 25 incidents per 100,000 residents, and property crime around 1031 per 100,000.

That translates to roughly 1-in-95 odds of becoming a victim of any crime.Camas earns an A+ crime rating thanks to its strong schools, growing jobs, and active local government support. 

8. Lake Stevens

Lake Stevens has a crime rate 61% below the United States average, earning this city an A rating. Last year, this one of the safest cities in Washington for families reported only 44 violent crimes (109 per 100k) and 311 property crimes (773 per 100k). Here, you have a 1-in-114 chance of becoming a victim of any kind of violent or property crime. 

Most importantly, the crime here usually decreases by 24% every year, so it is a perfect place for families. Its low murder count (zero reported) also contributes to its high safety ranking.

9. Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island has an A+ crime rating due to its low total crime rate, which is about 57% below the national average. This island only reports about 0.99 crimes per day, giving roughly a 1-in-102 chance of victimization. 

Notably, there were no homicides last year, and 91% of residents report feeling very safe walking at night in Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge Island has also seen a year-over-year drop in crime, with violent crimes down 44% and property crimes down 33%.

10. Oak Harbor

Oak Harbor is another exceptionally safe city, having a total crime rate 54% below the USA average. With an A+ crime rating, this safest city in Washington reported only 16 violent crimes (66 per 100k) and 238 property crimes (980 per 100k). 

That amounts to about 0.64 daily crimes, or a 1-in-96 chance of being a victim. Like many on the list, this city reported zero murders, and many locals feel Oak Harbor is very safe at night.

How are Crime Statistics Evolving in the Cities of Washington?

In recent years, Washington’s crime trends have been mixed. The state data show that its murder rate jumped around 42% (while this rate fell 3.6% nationally) from 2019 to 2024. Plus, aggravated assaults also rose 18.8% (versus a 2.1% national increase). 

However, Washington did see an overall 9% crime decrease and a 19% drop in murders between 2023 and 2024. Seattle’s property crime continues to be a problem, as this city is ranked worst in the nation for burglaries. 

What Crimes Are Washington Residents Most Concerned About?

Residents across the state often cite a few crime types in particular:

• Burglary: With cities like Seattle leading the nation in burglary rates, many Washingtonites worry about homes being broken into, especially during vacations or at night.
• Motor Vehicle Theft: Auto theft reports have increased statewide (35% rise from 2019 to 2024). People frequently report concerns about car break-ins and stolen vehicles, especially in urban areas.
• Violent Assault: Even as overall violent crime falls nationally, aggravated assaults in Washington have increased (up 18.8% since 2019). Other than that, street fights and muggings remain top worries in cities.
• Gun-Related Violence: Homicides jumped sharply in Washington recently, so gun violence and shootings are a major concern in metro areas.
• Property Crime: Beyond vehicles and homes, retail theft and vandalism are common concerns. With Seattle’s property crime high, even suburban neighborhoods stay vigilant about thieves and shoplifting incidents.

Top 5 Cities with High Crime Rates in Washington

While many cities rank among the safest places to live in Washington, the state overall struggles with crime. Some of the cities with the highest crime rates include: 

• Tukwila: Crime rate is nearly 793% above the national average, with about a 1-in-119 chance of violent crime.
• Fife: Total crime sits 401% higher than the U.S. average, giving residents a 1-in-65 chance of victimization.
• Tacoma: Crime rate is 277% above national levels, and violent crime risk is roughly 1-in-81.
• Seattle: High violent crime rate (1-in-129 chance), especially in neighborhoods like South Lake Union and the International District.
• Lakewood: Crime rate is 149% higher than the U.S. average with about a 1-in-133 violent crime risk.

How to Keep Yourself Safe in Dangerous Cities in Washington?

In higher-crime areas, good habits and security technology make a big difference. Here are some tips you can follow to keep yourself secure in the most dangerous and even the safest Washington cities. 

1. Lock Doors and Windows, Even When Home

Most burglaries are opportunistic, so you need to take precautions to avoid incidents. Always remember to deadbolt locks and keep garages secured. You should never advertise valuables, and try to hide packages and expensive items.

2. Stay Alert in Unfamiliar Areas

Avoid walking alone late at night, especially in low-lit or isolated neighborhoods. Always act on your gut feeling when a place feels unsafe. While traveling solo, use navigation apps with real-time safety alerts to plan safer routes.

3. Secure Your Home with eufy Security Cameras 

Modern security cameras alone can discourage crime, and their footage helps police solve incidents. For example, eufyCam 3 offers ultra-HD clarity and AI motion detection to help you detect any crime happening. 

Moreover, its 365-day battery life and BionicMind facial recognition ensure you always know who’s at your door. No matter if you live in Seattle or Tacoma, eufy’s smart alerts and encrypted data make home protection effortless and reliable.

4. Stay Connected with Neighbors 

You should sign up for community alerts and neighborhood watch programs. Follow police social media or apps for crime updates. If you see suspicious activity, report it immediately. Apart from that, learning self-defense and carrying a personal alarm can also help.

5. Build a Complete Defense with ExpertSecure System

When safety needs go beyond cameras, the eufy ExpertSecure System is the way to go. This system includes smart motion sensors, indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and sensors to alert you about any intrusion attempt. Surprisingly, it even provides 24/7 professional monitoring, so you can get help to protect your home. 

Moreover, this system uses AI-driven intrusion detection to distinguish real threats from false alarms. On top of that, it offers instant mobile alerts during suspicious activity. Combined with Smart HomeBase, the ExpertSecure System is ideal for residents in higher-crime zones.

Conclusion

While parts of Washington face crime challenges, many cities, including Brier and Sultan, remain very safe. The ten cities above have dramatically lower crime rates than state and national averages, as shown by their low crime rates. Residents there benefit from small-community policing and a strategic location away from big-city crime waves. 

Even in higher-risk cities, following basic safety measures can help. For improved security, installing an advanced home system, such as the eufy ExpertSecure alarm kit, can greatly reduce personal risk. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seattle safe to live in? 

The city has much lower violent crime than many big USA cities, but it suffers from very high property crime. Seattle’s burglary rate is 184% above the national norm. When it comes to neighborhoods, East King County is relatively safe, but downtown Seattle and certain outskirts see frequent car break-ins and thefts. 

Which Washington city has the lowest crime rate? 

Among cities with published data, Connell has one of the lowest total crime rates. Its overall crime rate (848 per 100k) is far below the national average, and it has virtually no violent crime. Other very low-crime cities include Oak Harbor and Bainbridge Island, where total crime is 59% and 36% below average.

Why are people moving out of Washington State? 

Surveys and reports indicate affordability is the main driver. Seattle and coastal areas have very high housing costs (median home $750,000) and rising rents. In addition, some residents cite quality-of-life factors like homelessness and crime in big cities as push factors.