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El Cajon vs Phoenix Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: El Cajon crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from El Cajon, CA to Phoenix, AZ?

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Is El Cajon or Phoenix Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, El Cajon is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 43/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 38% lower. El Cajon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where El Cajon has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 16.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than El Cajon, CA?

El Cajon — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

El Cajon, CA

El Cajon, CA
Safety Score 43/100
Coverage 101,983
Total Crime Rate 1,934.6
Category Wins 7/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type El Cajon Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,934.6 3,125.4 -1,190.7
Violent Crime Rate 434.4 800.0 -365.6
Murder Rate 0.0 8.4 -8.4
Rape Rate 26.5 64.3 -37.8
Robbery Rate 105.9 181.6 -75.7
Aggravated Assault Rate 302.0 545.3 -243.3
Property Crime Rate 1,500.3 2,325.3 -825.1
Burglary Rate 154.0 317.2 -163.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,083.5 1,582.1 -498.6
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 262.8 426.0 -163.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from El Cajon, CA to Phoenix, AZ?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is El Cajon or Phoenix safer?

El Cajon is safer with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 38% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

El Cajon has a violent crime rate of 434.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. El Cajon has lower violent crime.

About El Cajon, CA

Nestled in a valley east of San Diego, El Cajon boasts a rich history as a stop along the old wagon trails. Today, it's a diverse community with a significant Chaldean American population, reflecting its unique cultural tapestry. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 101,983, El Cajon has a total crime rate of 1,934.6 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.

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