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Buffalo, NY vs Phoenix, AZ Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Buffalo crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from Buffalo, NY to Phoenix, AZ?

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Is Buffalo, NY or Phoenix, AZ Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Phoenix, AZ is safer than Buffalo, NY (Safety Score 17/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo, NY — 31% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 39% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 6.1x 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 Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY
Safety Score 6/100
Coverage 273,728
Total Crime Rate 4,516.5
Category Wins 2/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Buffalo Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,516.5 3,125.4 +1,391.2
Violent Crime Rate 706.9 800.0 -93.1
Murder Rate 12.4 8.4 +4.1
Rape Rate 43.5 64.3 -20.8
Robbery Rate 157.8 181.6 -23.8
Aggravated Assault Rate 492.5 545.3 -52.9
Property Crime Rate 3,809.6 2,325.3 +1,484.3
Burglary Rate 438.0 317.2 +120.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,573.4 1,582.1 +991.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 798.2 426.0 +372.2

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

Moving from Buffalo, NY 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 Buffalo or Phoenix safer?

Phoenix, AZ is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo, NY — a 31% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Buffalo has lower violent crime.

About Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and stunning architecture by masters like Frank Lloyd Wright. As the second-largest city in New York, it experiences distinct seasons, including significant snowfall. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 273,728, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 4,516.5 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.

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