Puyallup, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Puyallup, WA

Is Puyallup, WA safe to live in?

Puyallup ranks as a Very Safe (A) city based on 2026 crime data. All three analyzed neighborhoods — South Hill/Puyallup, Frederickson, and Downtown Puyallup — each earned a Grade A, meaning 100% of Puyallup neighborhoods fall into the safest category. Not a single neighborhood in the city received a B, C, D, or F grade. For context, Puyallup's poverty rate sits at just 6.1% and its median household income is $76,565 — both factors that correlate strongly with lower crime prevalence. By virtually every measured dimension, Puyallup is one of the safer mid-size cities in Washington State.

What is the overall crime grade for Puyallup?

Puyallup's citywide overall crime grade is a B, while its city-wide safety rating across analyzed neighborhoods reaches an even stronger A (Very Safe). That distinction matters: the neighborhood-level analysis found that 100% of neighborhoods scored Grade A, with zero neighborhoods falling into the B, C, D, or F tiers. This means residents across South Hill/Puyallup, Frederickson, and Downtown Puyallup all benefit from similarly low crime environments, rather than a citywide average being pulled up by a few safe pockets and dragged down by high-crime zones.

Which Puyallup neighborhoods have the lowest crime rates?

All three neighborhoods analyzed for 2026 received a Grade A — the highest possible safety rating. Here's how they compare on key indicators:

• South Hill/Puyallup (Grade A): The largest neighborhood by population (63,630 residents) and the highest median household income at $95,209. Its size and economic strength correlate with its top-tier safety score.
• Frederickson (Grade A): Home to 27,545 residents with a median income of $91,528 — the second-highest in the city. Frederickson's strong economic profile aligns with its Grade A crime rating.
• Downtown Puyallup (Grade A): With 24,026 residents and a median income of $78,651, Downtown Puyallup achieves a Grade A despite being a more urban, higher-density area — a noteworthy result that speaks to effective community safety efforts in the core of the city.

The fact that even Downtown Puyallup — typically the area with the highest relative crime exposure in most cities — earned a Grade A underscores how uniformly safe Puyallup's neighborhoods are.

How does Puyallup's crime compare to other Washington cities?

Puyallup's 100% Grade A neighborhood distribution is a strong indicator of above-average safety relative to similarly sized Washington cities. With a population of 41,666 and a density of 1,138 residents per square mile, Puyallup is moderately dense — yet it maintains a citywide safety rating of Very Safe (A). Its 6.1% poverty rate and $76,565 median household income provide an economic foundation that research consistently links to lower property and violent crime rates. Cities with poverty rates above 15% or unemployment above 9% tend to see significantly worse crime grades; Puyallup's 6% unemployment rate keeps it well below those thresholds.

Is Downtown Puyallup safe?

Yes. Despite being a commercial and entertainment hub, Downtown Puyallup earned a Grade A in 2026 — the top safety rating. With a population of 24,026 and a median household income of $78,651, Downtown Puyallup outperforms many urban cores of comparable cities. While downtown areas in general tend to see higher rates of opportunistic property crime due to foot traffic, Puyallup's downtown has maintained its Grade A standing. Visitors attending events, shopping, or dining in the historic downtown district can do so with confidence, though standard precautions — like securing valuables in vehicles — are always advisable anywhere.

Is Puyallup a good place to buy a home?

From a crime and safety standpoint, Puyallup presents a compelling case for homebuyers. With a median home value of $352,561 and a median rent of $1,352, housing costs are moderate relative to the broader Puget Sound region. More importantly, all three analyzed neighborhoods carry a Grade A safety rating, meaning buyers in South Hill/Puyallup, Frederickson, or Downtown Puyallup are not trading safety for affordability — they get both. The city's low poverty rate (6.1%), solid median household income ($76,565), and 6% unemployment rate suggest economic stability that tends to support long-term neighborhood safety. For families prioritizing school-proximity and safety, South Hill/Puyallup — with its population of 63,630 and median income of $95,209 — stands out as a particularly strong option.