Is Buffalo or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Buffalo is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 93/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 475 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 85% lower. Buffalo has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Buffalo has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 100.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, MN
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 475.1 | 3,125.4 | -2,650.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 54.1 | 800.0 | -745.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 12.0 | 64.3 | -52.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 42.1 | 545.3 | -503.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 421.0 | 2,325.3 | -1,904.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 18.0 | 317.2 | -299.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 396.9 | 1,582.1 | -1,185.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 6.0 | 426.0 | -420.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Phoenix safer?
Buffalo is safer with a total crime rate of 475 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 54.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Buffalo has lower violent crime.
About Buffalo, MN
Buffalo, Minnesota, a city named for the nearby Buffalo Lake, sits in Wright County. It serves as the county seat and is known for its annual "Polka Fest," reflecting its strong German and Scandinavian heritage. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 16,627, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 475.1 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.