Is Fitchburg or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fitchburg is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 46/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,831 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 41% lower. Fitchburg has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fitchburg has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 39.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fitchburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fitchburg, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fitchburg | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,830.8 | 3,125.4 | -1,294.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 486.6 | 800.0 | -313.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.4 | 8.4 | -6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.2 | 64.3 | -24.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.4 | 181.6 | -146.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 408.7 | 545.3 | -136.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,344.1 | 2,325.3 | -981.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 271.7 | 317.2 | -45.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 952.0 | 1,582.1 | -630.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.5 | 426.0 | -305.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fitchburg or Phoenix safer?
Fitchburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,831 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fitchburg has a violent crime rate of 486.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Fitchburg has lower violent crime.
About Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg, a city in northern Worcester County, was a major mill town known for its paper industry. It sits along the Nashua River and has a diverse, working-class population. With a safety score of 46/100 and a population coverage of 42,332, Fitchburg has a total crime rate of 1,830.8 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.