Is Durham or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Durham is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 98/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 265 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 92% lower. Durham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Durham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 113.0x 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, NH
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Durham | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 265.0 | 3,125.4 | -2,860.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 40.8 | 800.0 | -759.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 8.4 | -1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 64.3 | -30.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 545.3 | -545.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 224.2 | 2,325.3 | -2,101.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 0.0 | 317.2 | -317.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 210.6 | 1,582.1 | -1,371.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 13.6 | 426.0 | -412.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Phoenix safer?
Durham is safer with a total crime rate of 265 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Durham has a violent crime rate of 40.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Durham has lower violent crime.
About Durham, NH
Durham, NH, home to the University of New Hampshire, is a small New England town on the Oyster River. It boasts a population of around 16,000, significantly augmented by its student body. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 14,718, Durham has a total crime rate of 265.0 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.