Is Fairfax City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Fairfax City (Safety Score 17/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,432 for Fairfax City — 9% lower. Fairfax City has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairfax City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 64.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fairfax City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairfax City, VA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fairfax City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,431.8 | 3,125.4 | +306.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 128.5 | 800.0 | -671.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 11.7 | 64.3 | -52.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.7 | 181.6 | -134.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 70.1 | 545.3 | -475.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,303.2 | 2,325.3 | +977.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 62.3 | 317.2 | -254.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,104.6 | 1,582.1 | +1,522.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 136.3 | 426.0 | -289.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfax City or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,432 for Fairfax City — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fairfax City has a violent crime rate of 128.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Fairfax City has lower violent crime.
About Fairfax City, VA
Fairfax City, a Northern Virginia independent city, boasts a rich colonial history as the site of the first court to repudiate the Stamp Act. It is home to George Mason University, a major public research institution, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 25,672, Fairfax City has a total crime rate of 3,431.8 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.