Is Cathedral City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cathedral City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 56/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,506 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 52% lower. Cathedral City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cathedral City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 31.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cathedral City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cathedral City, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cathedral City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,505.7 | 3,125.4 | -1,619.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 285.2 | 800.0 | -514.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 30.4 | 64.3 | -33.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.1 | 181.6 | -126.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 197.7 | 545.3 | -347.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,220.5 | 2,325.3 | -1,104.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 184.4 | 317.2 | -132.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 680.6 | 1,582.1 | -901.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 355.5 | 426.0 | -70.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cathedral City or Phoenix safer?
Cathedral City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,506 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cathedral City has a violent crime rate of 285.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Cathedral City has lower violent crime.
About Cathedral City, CA
Cathedral City, a Coachella Valley city, was incorporated in 1981 and is known for its large Hispanic population. It is home to the first all-electric bus rapid transit system in the region. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 52,602, Cathedral City has a total crime rate of 1,505.7 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.