Is Arlington or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Arlington is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 92/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 490 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 84% lower. Arlington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Arlington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 35.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 489.8 | 3,125.4 | -2,635.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 55.4 | 800.0 | -744.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 10.7 | 64.3 | -53.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 44.7 | 545.3 | -500.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 434.5 | 2,325.3 | -1,890.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.6 | 317.2 | -257.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 338.6 | 1,582.1 | -1,243.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.2 | 426.0 | -389.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or Phoenix safer?
Arlington is safer with a total crime rate of 490 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 84% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington has a violent crime rate of 55.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Arlington has lower violent crime.
About Arlington, MA
Arlington, MA, a historic suburb northwest of Boston, was once home to Uncle Sam. This densely populated town of over 46,000 residents features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers along Massachusetts Avenue. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 46,956, Arlington has a total crime rate of 489.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.