Is California City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, California City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 30% lower. California City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where California City has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 123.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
California City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
California City, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | California City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,176.2 | 3,125.4 | -949.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 588.8 | 800.0 | -211.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.5 | 8.4 | -0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 22.4 | 64.3 | -41.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 181.6 | -136.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 545.3 | -31.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,587.4 | 2,325.3 | -737.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 380.1 | 317.2 | +62.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 842.2 | 1,582.1 | -740.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 365.2 | 426.0 | -60.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California City or Phoenix safer?
California City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
California City has a violent crime rate of 588.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. California City has lower violent crime.
About California City, CA
California City, an ambitious 1950s planned community in the Mojave Desert, boasts the third-largest land area of any California city. Its vast, grid-like street network often lies empty, a testament to its unfulfilled growth. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 13,418, California City has a total crime rate of 2,176.2 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.