Is Burien or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Burien (Safety Score 17/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,820 for Burien — 18% lower. Burien has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Burien has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 33.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burien — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burien, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burien | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,819.7 | 3,125.4 | +694.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 425.3 | 800.0 | -374.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 8.4 | -4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 65.6 | 64.3 | +1.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 181.6 | -18.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 192.8 | 545.3 | -352.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,394.4 | 2,325.3 | +1,069.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 576.3 | 317.2 | +259.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,752.9 | 1,582.1 | +170.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,065.2 | 426.0 | +639.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burien or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,820 for Burien — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burien has a violent crime rate of 425.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Burien has lower violent crime.
About Burien, WA
Burien, a Puget Sound city, was once nicknamed "Booburb" for its growth. It's home to a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community, and offers views of the Olympic Mountains. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 50,318, Burien has a total crime rate of 3,819.7 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.