Is Desert Hot Springs or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Desert Hot Springs is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 50/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 46% lower. Desert Hot Springs has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Desert Hot Springs has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 49.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Desert Hot Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Desert Hot Springs, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Desert Hot Springs | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,691.9 | 3,125.4 | -1,433.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 491.9 | 800.0 | -308.2 |
| Murder Rate | 8.9 | 8.4 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 29.6 | 64.3 | -34.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 118.5 | 181.6 | -63.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 334.8 | 545.3 | -210.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,200.0 | 2,325.3 | -1,125.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.6 | 317.2 | -44.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 551.1 | 1,582.1 | -1,031.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 376.3 | 426.0 | -49.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Hot Springs or Phoenix safer?
Desert Hot Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Desert Hot Springs has a violent crime rate of 491.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Desert Hot Springs has lower violent crime.
About Desert Hot Springs, CA
Desert Hot Springs, California, a city known for its natural hot springs, lies in the Coachella Valley. Founded by Cabot Yerxa, it is a small city with a population of around 32,000, primarily composed of working-class families. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 33,749, Desert Hot Springs has a total crime rate of 1,691.9 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.