Is Chelsea or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chelsea is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 30/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 23% lower. Chelsea has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Chelsea has a 38% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 43.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chelsea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chelsea | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 3,125.4 | -710.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 978.9 | 800.0 | +178.9 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 8.4 | -3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 80.9 | 64.3 | +16.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.1 | 181.6 | -61.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 772.7 | 545.3 | +227.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,435.8 | 2,325.3 | -889.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 148.8 | 317.2 | -168.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,151.2 | 1,582.1 | -430.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 135.8 | 426.0 | -290.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelsea or Phoenix safer?
Chelsea is safer with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chelsea has a violent crime rate of 978.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Chelsea, MA
Chelsea, a dense urban gateway city across the Mystic River from Boston, boasts a rich immigrant history. Settled in 1624, it was once home to a vibrant industrial port and is now Massachusetts' smallest city by land area. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 38,307, Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2,414.7 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.