Is Bend or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bend is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 55/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 51% lower. Bend has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bend has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 15.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bend — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bend, OR
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bend | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,530.5 | 3,125.4 | -1,594.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 168.5 | 800.0 | -631.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 8.4 | -5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 22.6 | 64.3 | -41.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.6 | 181.6 | -159.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.5 | 545.3 | -424.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,362.0 | 2,325.3 | -963.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 129.0 | 317.2 | -188.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.2 | 1,582.1 | -431.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 82.8 | 426.0 | -343.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bend or Phoenix safer?
Bend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bend has a violent crime rate of 168.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Bend has lower violent crime.
About Bend, OR
Nestled on the Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon, was historically a logging town and is now a popular outdoor recreation destination. Its population of over 100,000 residents enjoys proximity to the Cascade Mountains and high desert. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 106,241, Bend has a total crime rate of 1,530.5 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.