Is Charlottesville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Charlottesville (Safety Score 17/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,550 for Charlottesville — 12% lower. Charlottesville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charlottesville has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 37.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlottesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlottesville, VA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlottesville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,550.1 | 3,125.4 | +424.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.0 | 800.0 | -441.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 8.4 | -6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 42.4 | 64.3 | -21.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 181.6 | -121.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 254.2 | 545.3 | -291.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,191.1 | 2,325.3 | +865.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 240.8 | 317.2 | -76.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,660.3 | 1,582.1 | +1,078.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 289.9 | 426.0 | -136.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,550 for Charlottesville — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlottesville has a violent crime rate of 359.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Charlottesville has lower violent crime.
About Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville, home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, is a university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is predominantly white, with a significant student population from the University of Virginia. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 44,844, Charlottesville has a total crime rate of 3,550.1 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.