Is Carlsbad or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Carlsbad (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,316 for Carlsbad — 6% lower. Carlsbad has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Carlsbad has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 53.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carlsbad — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carlsbad, NM
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carlsbad | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,315.9 | 3,125.4 | +190.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 524.9 | 800.0 | -275.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 8.4 | -5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 35.2 | 64.3 | -29.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.8 | 181.6 | -168.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.7 | 545.3 | -71.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,791.0 | 2,325.3 | +465.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 326.5 | 317.2 | +9.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,051.7 | 1,582.1 | +469.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 412.9 | 426.0 | -13.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlsbad or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,316 for Carlsbad — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carlsbad has a violent crime rate of 524.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Carlsbad has lower violent crime.
About Carlsbad, NM
Carlsbad, New Mexico, a city founded by pioneers near the Pecos River, is home to over 28,000 residents. Its economy has historically been tied to potash mining and oil and gas, influencing its demographic makeup. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 31,243, Carlsbad has a total crime rate of 3,315.9 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.