Is Federal Way or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Federal Way (Safety Score 17/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,918 for Federal Way — 36% lower. Federal Way has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 17.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Federal Way — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Federal Way, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Federal Way | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,917.7 | 3,125.4 | +1,792.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 545.4 | 800.0 | -254.7 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 8.4 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 64.3 | -12.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 150.1 | 181.6 | -31.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 338.4 | 545.3 | -206.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,372.3 | 2,325.3 | +2,047.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 573.3 | 317.2 | +256.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,655.5 | 1,582.1 | +1,073.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,143.5 | 426.0 | +717.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Federal Way or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,918 for Federal Way — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Federal Way has a violent crime rate of 545.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Federal Way has lower violent crime.
About Federal Way, WA
Federal Way, a Puget Sound city, was once home to extensive timber operations. This diverse community, part of King County, is now a bustling suburban hub with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 96,631, Federal Way has a total crime rate of 4,917.7 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.