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Boulder vs Phoenix Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Boulder crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from Boulder, CO to Phoenix, AZ?

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Is Boulder or Phoenix Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Boulder is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,055 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 2% lower. Boulder has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Boulder has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 15.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Boulder, CO?

Boulder — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Boulder, CO

Boulder, CO
Safety Score 19/100
Coverage 105,195
Total Crime Rate 3,055.3
Category Wins 4/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 3/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Boulder Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,055.3 3,125.4 -70.1
Violent Crime Rate 322.3 800.0 -477.8
Murder Rate 0.0 8.4 -8.4
Rape Rate 35.2 64.3 -29.1
Robbery Rate 44.7 181.6 -136.9
Aggravated Assault Rate 242.4 545.3 -302.9
Property Crime Rate 2,733.0 2,325.3 +407.7
Burglary Rate 383.1 317.2 +65.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,141.7 1,582.1 +559.6
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 208.2 426.0 -217.9

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Boulder, CO to Phoenix, AZ?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boulder or Phoenix safer?

Boulder is safer with a total crime rate of 3,055 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 2% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Boulder has a violent crime rate of 322.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Boulder has lower violent crime.

About Boulder, CO

Nestled at the base of the Flatirons, Boulder is home to a highly educated populace, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. This university city, known for its outdoor recreation and progressive culture, sits at an elevation of 5,430 feet. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 105,195, Boulder has a total crime rate of 3,055.3 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.

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