Is Brea or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brea is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,076 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 2% lower. Brea has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brea has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 34.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brea, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brea | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,075.6 | 3,125.4 | -49.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 210.6 | 800.0 | -589.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 8.4 | -6.3 |
| Rape Rate | 12.3 | 64.3 | -52.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 92.0 | 181.6 | -89.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.3 | 545.3 | -441.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,865.0 | 2,325.3 | +539.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 269.9 | 317.2 | -47.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,439.6 | 1,582.1 | +857.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 155.4 | 426.0 | -270.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brea or Phoenix safer?
Brea is safer with a total crime rate of 3,076 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brea has a violent crime rate of 210.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Brea has lower violent crime.
About Brea, CA
Brea, California, once known for its oil fields, is a suburban city in northern Orange County. It features a vibrant downtown area and is home to a diverse population of around 47,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 48,901, Brea has a total crime rate of 3,075.6 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.