Renton, WA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Renton, WA

Is Renton, WA safe to live in?

Renton earns an overall city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A) based on analysis of its 14 neighborhoods. A striking 92.9% of neighborhoods — 13 out of 14 — received a Grade A, and not a single neighborhood scored below a C. In fact, 93% of Renton's neighborhoods fall into the combined A or B (Safe) category, which is exceptionally high compared to most U.S. cities of similar size. Top-rated neighborhoods like Maple Hills (A+) and Cedar Mountain (A+) anchor the city's strong safety profile. While Renton carries an overall city-level crime grade of C — reflecting broader metro-area factors — the neighborhood-level data tells a consistently positive story for residents.

What is the crime rate in Renton by neighborhood?

Of the 14 neighborhoods analyzed, 2 earned an A+ rating (Maple Hills and Cedar Mountain), 8 earned a straight A (including Fairfield/Coalfield, May Creek, Hazelwood, Fairwood, Maplewood Heights, and Elliott), and 4 earned an A- (Kennydale, Maplewood, East Renton Highlands, and Benson Hill). Only one neighborhood — roughly 7.1% of the city — received a Grade C, and zero neighborhoods scored D or F. This distribution means the vast majority of Renton's roughly 101,871 residents live in areas graded A- or better, a safety profile that compares favorably to Washington State as a whole.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Renton?

The two highest-rated neighborhoods in Renton are Maple Hills and Cedar Mountain, both holding Grade A+ ratings. Cedar Mountain has a median household income of $139,565 — the highest of any analyzed neighborhood — while Maple Hills follows closely at $130,665. Rounding out the top tier are Fairfield (Coalfield), Maple Valley Heights, May Creek, and Hazelwood, all earning Grade A ratings with median incomes ranging from $124,570 to $137,624. Larger neighborhoods like Fairwood (pop. 17,463, income $108,086) and Maplewood Heights (pop. 14,934, income $110,469) also hold Grade A ratings, meaning safety at scale is not a concern in Renton's most populated areas.

Which parts of Renton have higher crime?

Even Renton's comparatively higher-crime neighborhoods remain well within safe territory. Kennydale, Maplewood, East Renton Highlands, and Benson Hill all received Grade A- ratings — still firmly in the safe range. The sole neighborhood with a Grade C represents just 7.1% of the 14 neighborhoods analyzed. No neighborhood in Renton earned a D or F. For context, Renton's median household income is $79,824 and its unemployment rate sits at just 3.5% — socioeconomic indicators that research consistently links to lower crime rates across communities.

Is Renton a good place to buy a home?

From a safety standpoint, the data supports Renton as a strong candidate for homebuyers. With 93% of neighborhoods rated A or B, buyers have a wide selection of low-crime areas to choose from. The median home value is $443,763 and median rent is $1,612/month, reflecting a competitive but stable housing market. The city's poverty rate of 8.1% and unemployment rate of 3.5% suggest economic resilience. Neighborhoods like Fairwood and Maplewood Heights — both Grade A with populations above 14,000 — offer the combination of community scale, established amenities, and verified safety that many homebuyers prioritize.

How does Renton's overall crime grade compare to its neighborhood grades?

Renton holds an overall crime grade of C at the city level, yet 92.9% of its individual neighborhoods score A. This apparent gap is common in cities where a small concentration of incidents in commercial corridors or transitional zones drives up aggregate statistics, while most residential neighborhoods remain well-insulated. The neighborhood-level data — where zero of 14 areas scored below a C and 13 scored A — gives residents and prospective movers a more granular and arguably more actionable picture of day-to-day safety in Renton.