Is Chico or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chico is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 26/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 17% lower. Chico has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chico has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 16.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chico — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chico, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chico | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,599.4 | 3,125.4 | -526.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 701.2 | 800.0 | -98.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 8.4 | -6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 137.9 | 64.3 | +73.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.3 | 181.6 | -99.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 477.0 | 545.3 | -68.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,898.2 | 2,325.3 | -427.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 208.3 | 317.2 | -108.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,486.7 | 1,582.1 | -95.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 426.0 | -222.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chico or Phoenix safer?
Chico is safer with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chico has a violent crime rate of 701.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Chico has lower violent crime.
About Chico, CA
Chico, home to California State University, Chico, is a city in the Sacramento Valley. It boasts Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The city's population is around 100,000. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 100,831, Chico has a total crime rate of 2,599.4 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.