Is Bellevue or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Bellevue (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,479 for Bellevue — 10% lower. Bellevue has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellevue has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellevue — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellevue, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellevue | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,479.4 | 3,125.4 | +354.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 139.9 | 800.0 | -660.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 8.4 | -7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 9.9 | 64.3 | -54.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.8 | 181.6 | -130.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 77.2 | 545.3 | -468.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,339.5 | 2,325.3 | +1,014.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 362.3 | 317.2 | +45.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,636.6 | 1,582.1 | +1,054.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 340.6 | 426.0 | -85.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellevue or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,479 for Bellevue — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellevue has a violent crime rate of 139.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Bellevue has lower violent crime.
About Bellevue, WA
Bellevue, "Beautiful View" in French, began as a logging town and now boasts a vibrant tech industry. Situated across Lake Washington from Seattle, it's a rapidly growing city with a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 151,520, Bellevue has a total crime rate of 3,479.4 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.