DC Crime Stats vs the World
Segment #576
Based on available data, comparing crime statistics for Washington D.C. with international capitals reveals that D.C. generally has significantly higher rates of violent crime, particularly homicide, than many major capitals in Europe and Asia.1 However, it's important to note that crime can be complex, and a direct comparison of raw numbers can sometimes be misleading due to differences in reporting methods, population density, and other socio-economic factors.
Here is a comparison of crime statistics, with a focus on homicide rates, as this is a key metric often used for international comparisons:
Washington D.C. Crime Statistics
Homicide Rate: In 2024, Washington D.C.'s homicide rate was approximately 27.3 per 100,000 residents. While there have been some recent declines in homicides in D.C., the city's rate remains high.
Violent Crime: D.C.'s violent crime rate was 1,151 per 100,000 people in 2023.4 The city also has a notably high rate of motor vehicle theft, which is more than three times the national average for the United States.5
Context: D.C.'s homicide rate is among the highest in the U.S. and, by some measures, places it in the top tier of dangerous cities globally.
Comparison with International Capitals
European Capitals:
London, UK: In contrast, London's overall crime rate in May 2025 was 76 crimes per 1,000 people, with violence and sexual offenses being the most common.6 While certain boroughs in London have higher crime rates, its homicide rate is far lower than D.C.'s.
Paris, France: France's national homicide rate in 2023 was 1.5 per 100,000 people.7 While Paris has a high crime index for perceived crime levels and is known for petty theft, its rate of violent crime and homicides is a fraction of D.C.'s.
Asian Capitals:
Tokyo, Japan: Japan is known for its extremely low crime rates.8 The country's homicide rate in 2021 was 0.23 per 100,000 people. This is roughly 100 times lower than D.C.'s rate.
Latin American and Other Capitals:
While D.C. has a higher homicide rate than some well-known Latin American capitals like Bogotá, Colombia (15 per 100,000 in 2024), and Mexico City (10 per 100,000 in 2024), it does not have the highest rate in the world.
According to a 2023 list of homicide rates, D.C. was ranked below 49 other cities, including a few other capitals such as Cape Town, South Africa; Kingston, Jamaica; and Caracas, Venezuela, which had higher rates.9
D.C.'s murder rate is also reported to be roughly three times higher than that of Islamabad, Pakistan, and 18 times higher than that of Havana, Cuba.10
Summary
In summary, while Washington D.C. does not have the absolute highest crime rate among all global capitals, its violent crime and homicide rates are significantly higher than those of many other major international capitals, particularly those in Europe and Asia. The comparison highlights a stark contrast in the level of violent crime between D.C. and cities like Tokyo, London, and Paris.