Is East Palo Alto or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Palo Alto is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 28/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 19% lower. East Palo Alto has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where East Palo Alto has a 24% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 60.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
East Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
East Palo Alto, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | East Palo Alto | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,526.8 | 3,125.4 | -598.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 607.3 | 800.0 | -192.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 8.4 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 94.0 | 64.3 | +29.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 213.3 | 181.6 | +31.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 292.8 | 545.3 | -252.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,919.5 | 2,325.3 | -405.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 108.5 | 317.2 | -208.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,352.0 | 1,582.1 | -230.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 459.1 | 426.0 | +33.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Palo Alto or Phoenix safer?
East Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
East Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 607.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. East Palo Alto has lower violent crime.
About East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto, California, a city incorporated in 1983, sits on the San Francisco Bay's western shore. It is the only city in San Mateo County that primarily has a Black and Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 27,663, East Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 2,526.8 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.