Is Cary or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cary is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 60/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,389 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 56% lower. Cary has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cary has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 9.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cary, NC
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,388.9 | 3,125.4 | -1,736.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.5 | 800.0 | -728.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 8.4 | -6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 64.3 | -57.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.7 | 181.6 | -169.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.1 | 545.3 | -495.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,317.4 | 2,325.3 | -1,007.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.6 | 317.2 | -228.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,110.6 | 1,582.1 | -471.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.3 | 426.0 | -307.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary or Phoenix safer?
Cary is safer with a total crime rate of 1,389 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 71.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Cary has lower violent crime.
About Cary, NC
Cary, NC, a large town in the Research Triangle region, began as a railroad town. It consistently ranks among the most educated communities in the U.S., attracting a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 181,793, Cary has a total crime rate of 1,388.9 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.