Is Bedford or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bedford is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 93/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 457 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 85% lower. Bedford has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bedford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 113.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bedford, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bedford | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 457.1 | 3,125.4 | -2,668.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 13.6 | 800.0 | -786.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 8.4 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 64.3 | -64.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 545.3 | -545.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 443.4 | 2,325.3 | -1,881.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.9 | 317.2 | -276.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 375.2 | 1,582.1 | -1,206.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.3 | 426.0 | -398.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedford or Phoenix safer?
Bedford is safer with a total crime rate of 457 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 13.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Bedford has lower violent crime.
About Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA, home to Hanscom Air Force Base and a significant tech industry presence, sits northwest of Boston. This Middlesex County town, a bedroom community, maintains a suburban character with a notable historical district. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 14,659, Bedford has a total crime rate of 457.1 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.