Burien, WA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Burien Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Burien has a crime rate that is 40% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 216.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 216
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
21% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 37
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
46% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Burien Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
135 | +35% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
114 | +14% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
134 | +34% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
149 | +49% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
139 | +39% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
138 | +38% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Burien Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Burien Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Burien, WA?
Burien, WA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 216 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 37 chance for property crime. Burien has higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Burien, WA safe to live in?
Burien has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Burien is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Burien?
The estimated violent crime rate in Burien is 462.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 216 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.8 per 100K (35% above average); aggravated assault at 306.3 per 100K (14% above average); robbery at 99.3 per 100K (34% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Burien?
The estimated property crime rate in Burien is 2,675.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 37 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 290.0 per 100K (7% above average); larceny/theft at 1,946.4 per 100K (39% above average); vehicle theft at 439.1 per 100K (38% above average).
How does Burien crime compare to the national average?
Burien's overall crime rate is 40% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (49% above average), while burglary is 7% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Burien has higher crime than 85% of them.
Is Burien safe to visit?
Visitors to Burien should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 46% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Burien crime compare to the rest of Washington?
Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Burien's crime rate is 40% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Washington city.
What type of crime is most common in Burien?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Burien, with an estimated rate of 1,946.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 39% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,676 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (462 per 100K) in Burien, which is consistent with national trends.