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2025 Safety Rankings

Safest Cities
Near Seattle

Data-driven safety rankings based on FBI crime statistics, local police reports, and community safety metrics. Find the most secure neighborhoods for your family.

FBI UCR Data
Local Police Reports
Community Surveys
0%

Lower Crime Than
National Average

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Safest Cities
Ranked

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Residents Feel
Safe Walking

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Residents in
Safe Communities

Our Safety Ranking Methodology

We use a comprehensive, data-driven approach to evaluate neighborhood safety across multiple dimensions.

Violent Crime Rate

Murder, assault, robbery, and rape incidents per 1,000 residents

30% Weight

Property Crime Rate

Burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft per 1,000 residents

25% Weight

Community Safety

Neighborhood watch programs, community policing, resident surveys

25% Weight

Safety Infrastructure

Street lighting, police response times, emergency services

20% Weight

Crime Rate Comparisons

Visual comparison of violent and property crime rates across Seattle area cities

Violent Crime Rate

Per 1,000 residents (lower is better)

Property Crime Rate

Per 1,000 residents (lower is better)

Overall Safety Score

Composite safety rating out of 100 (higher is better)

Top 10 Safest Cities Near Seattle

Comprehensive safety rankings based on crime statistics and community safety metrics

Mercer Island safe residential neighborhood
#1

Mercer Island

King County | Population: 26,000

Safety Score: 98/100

Mercer Island is the safest community in the Seattle metro area, with crime rates 80% below national averages. The island's geographic isolation, affluent community, and excellent police department contribute to its exceptional safety record.

Violent Crime

0.4/1K (Excellent)

Property Crime

7.2/1K (Excellent)

Police Response

3.2 min avg

Feel Safe Rating

98%

Island Community 10 min to Seattle 24/7 Police Patrol

Why It's Safe

Island geography limits access points, high community engagement in neighborhood watch, and median household income of $200K+ correlates with low crime rates.

Sammamish safe family neighborhood
#2

Sammamish

King County | Population: 68,000

Safety Score: 96/100

Sammamish consistently ranks among America's safest cities. This family-oriented community on the Sammamish Plateau has virtually no violent crime and one of the lowest property crime rates in Washington State.

Violent Crime

0.3/1K (Excellent)

Property Crime

8.5/1K (Excellent)

Police Response

4.1 min avg

Feel Safe Rating

97%

Family-Focused 25 min to Seattle Active Neighborhood Watch
Issaquah mountain community safety
#3

Issaquah

King County | Population: 41,000

Safety Score: 94/100

Nestled at the base of the Cascades, Issaquah combines small-town charm with excellent safety. The Issaquah Police Department's community-oriented approach has resulted in crime rates well below state and national averages.

Violent Crime

0.6/1K (Excellent)

Property Crime

10.8/1K (Very Good)

Police Response

4.5 min avg

Feel Safe Rating

95%

Mountain Community 20 min to Seattle Strong Community
Bellevue downtown safe urban area
#4

Bellevue

King County | Population: 151,000

Safety Score: 91/100

As Washington's fifth-largest city, Bellevue is remarkably safe for its size. The Bellevue Police Department is nationally recognized for its crime prevention programs and community engagement initiatives.

Violent Crime

0.9/1K (Very Good)

Property Crime

15.6/1K (Good)

Police Response

3.8 min avg

Feel Safe Rating

92%

Urban Safety Leader 15 min to Seattle Extensive CCTV
Kirkland waterfront safe community
#5

Kirkland

King County | Population: 93,000

Safety Score: 89/100

Kirkland's walkable downtown and waterfront parks are among the safest public spaces in the region. The city's community-oriented policing and engaged residents create a secure environment for families.

Violent Crime

1.0/1K (Very Good)

Property Crime

17.2/1K (Good)

Police Response

4.2 min avg

Feel Safe Rating

90%

Redmond tech hub safe community
#6

Redmond

King County | Population: 76,000

Safety Score: 87/100

Home to Microsoft and other tech giants, Redmond benefits from high employment and economic stability. The city's investment in public safety infrastructure and community programs contributes to its excellent safety record.

Violent Crime

1.1/1K

Property Crime

18.5/1K

Police Response

4.8 min avg

Feel Safe Rating

88%

#7

Woodinville

Pop: 13,000 | Wine Country

85/100

Rural-suburban community known for wineries and peaceful living. Low population density contributes to minimal crime rates.

Violent: 0.8/1K Property: 14.2/1K
#8

Snoqualmie

Pop: 14,000 | Mountain Living

84/100

Master-planned community with excellent safety infrastructure. Snoqualmie Ridge area is particularly family-friendly and secure.

Violent: 0.5/1K Property: 12.8/1K
#9

Newcastle

Pop: 13,000 | Golf Community

83/100

Small, affluent city between Bellevue and Renton. Gated communities and golf courses create a secure environment.

Violent: 0.7/1K Property: 11.5/1K
#10

Maple Valley

Pop: 28,000 | Affordable Safety

81/100

Growing community offering excellent safety at more affordable prices. Strong schools and family-oriented neighborhoods.

Violent: 0.9/1K Property: 13.2/1K

Neighborhood Safety Tips

Practical advice to keep your family safe when moving to a new neighborhood

Join Neighborhood Watch

Connect with neighbors and local police through organized watch programs. Many Seattle-area communities have active groups on Nextdoor.

Ensure Good Lighting

Well-lit exteriors deter crime. Install motion-sensor lights and ensure street lighting is adequate in your new neighborhood.

Secure Entry Points

Invest in quality locks, consider a security system, and ensure all windows and doors are properly secured.

Vehicle Safety

Always lock vehicles, never leave valuables visible, and park in well-lit areas. Catalytic converter theft is a regional concern.

Know Emergency Services

Save local police non-emergency numbers, know your nearest hospital, and familiarize yourself with evacuation routes.

Teach Kids Safety

Establish safe walking routes to school, teach stranger awareness, and identify safe houses in the neighborhood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the safest city near Seattle?
Mercer Island consistently ranks as the safest city near Seattle, with crime rates 80% below the national average. The island community benefits from its geographic isolation (accessible only by bridge), strong community policing, high median household income, and engaged residents participating in neighborhood watch programs.
How do crime rates in Seattle suburbs compare to Seattle?
Seattle suburbs generally have significantly lower crime rates than Seattle proper. Cities like Sammamish, Mercer Island, and Issaquah have violent crime rates 70-90% lower than Seattle, and property crime rates 50-80% lower. For example, Seattle's violent crime rate is approximately 6.5 per 1,000, while Sammamish is just 0.3 per 1,000.
What factors make a Seattle suburb safe?
Key safety factors include: community policing programs, active neighborhood watch participation, well-lit streets and public spaces, economic stability and low unemployment, quality schools with after-school programs, and engaged residents. Research shows suburbs with higher median incomes and education levels tend to have lower crime rates.
Is Bellevue safer than Seattle?
Yes, Bellevue is significantly safer than Seattle. Bellevue's violent crime rate is approximately 60% lower than Seattle's, and property crime is about 40% lower. Despite being Washington's fifth-largest city with 151,000 residents, Bellevue consistently ranks among Washington's safest large cities due to its well-funded police department and community engagement programs.
What is the difference between violent crime and property crime?
Violent crimes include murder, assault, robbery, and rape - crimes involving force or threat of force against a person. Property crimes include burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson - crimes involving taking or destroying property without direct force against a person. In Seattle-area suburbs, property crime is typically 10-20x more common than violent crime.

Ready to Move to a Safer Community?

Next Phase Moving specializes in helping families relocate to the safest neighborhoods in the Seattle area. Get a free quote today and let us make your move stress-free.