West Palm Beach, FL Crime Rate & Safety

West Palm Beach, FL has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 210 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 34 chance for property crime. West Palm Beach has higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

West Palm Beach has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 73% of the city's 114 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Crestwood is one of the safest areas, while Roosevelt Estates has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting West Palm Beach is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in West Palm Beach are Crestwood, La Mancha, The Willows, Madison Green, and Baywinds. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in West Palm Beach include Roosevelt Estates, Tamarind Park, Lake Magnolia, Pleasant City, and Blue Heron Park. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in West Palm Beach is 477.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 210 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.5 per 100K (50% above average); aggravated assault at 351.5 per 100K (31% above average); robbery at 86.4 per 100K (17% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in West Palm Beach is 2,913.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 34 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 330.0 per 100K (22% above average); larceny/theft at 2,113.0 per 100K (51% above average); vehicle theft at 470.1 per 100K (47% above average).

West Palm Beach's overall crime rate is 44% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (51% above average), while rape is 6% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, West Palm Beach has higher crime than 86% of them.

Visitors to West Palm Beach should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 59% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Crestwood, La Mancha, The Willows.

Florida as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. West Palm Beach's crime rate is 44% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Florida city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in West Palm Beach, with an estimated rate of 2,113.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 51% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,913 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (477 per 100K) in West Palm Beach, which is consistent with national trends.