Is Berkeley or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Berkeley (Safety Score 17/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,869 for Berkeley — 47% lower. Berkeley has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 14.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Berkeley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Berkeley, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Berkeley | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,868.8 | 3,125.4 | +2,743.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 639.7 | 800.0 | -160.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 8.4 | -2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 46.0 | 64.3 | -18.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 186.5 | 181.6 | +4.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.3 | 545.3 | -145.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,229.1 | 2,325.3 | +2,903.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.0 | 317.2 | +343.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,655.9 | 1,582.1 | +2,073.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 912.3 | 426.0 | +486.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkeley or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,869 for Berkeley — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Berkeley has a violent crime rate of 639.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Berkeley has lower violent crime.
About Berkeley, CA
Berkeley, California, home to a world-renowned university and the Free Speech Movement, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. This diverse city's population is highly educated, with a significant proportion holding graduate degrees. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 117,400, Berkeley has a total crime rate of 5,868.8 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.