Is Durham or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Durham (Safety Score 17/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,420 for Durham — 29% lower. Durham has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 39% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham, NC
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Durham | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,420.3 | 3,125.4 | +1,294.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 620.6 | 800.0 | -179.5 |
| Murder Rate | 12.3 | 8.4 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 64.3 | -7.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 160.9 | 181.6 | -20.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 388.7 | 545.3 | -156.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,799.7 | 2,325.3 | +1,474.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 450.4 | 317.2 | +133.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,725.4 | 1,582.1 | +1,143.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 623.9 | 426.0 | +197.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,420 for Durham — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Durham has a violent crime rate of 620.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Durham has lower violent crime.
About Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 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.