Is Bellingham or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Bellingham (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,108 for Bellingham — 24% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 17.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 3,125.4 | +982.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 800.0 | -449.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 8.4 | -6.3 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 64.3 | -43.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 181.6 | -104.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 545.3 | -295.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 2,325.3 | +1,431.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 317.2 | +173.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 1,582.1 | +1,531.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 426.0 | -273.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,108 for Bellingham — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, a city of 92,000 nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, boasts a thriving arts scene and is home to Western Washington University. Its port city history is evident in its revitalized waterfront. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 95,717, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 4,107.9 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.