Is Flagstaff or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Flagstaff is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 24/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,698 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 14% lower. Flagstaff has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Flagstaff has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 21.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Flagstaff — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Flagstaff, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Flagstaff | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,697.8 | 3,125.4 | -427.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 465.8 | 800.0 | -334.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 8.4 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 70.7 | 64.3 | +6.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.6 | 181.6 | -128.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 332.3 | 545.3 | -213.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,232.0 | 2,325.3 | -93.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 123.0 | 317.2 | -194.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,970.4 | 1,582.1 | +388.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.7 | 426.0 | -287.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flagstaff or Phoenix safer?
Flagstaff is safer with a total crime rate of 2,698 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Flagstaff has a violent crime rate of 465.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Flagstaff has lower violent crime.
About Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, Arizona, a city with a rich railroad history, sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet near the San Francisco Peaks. It's home to Northern Arizona University, a major employer. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 76,433, Flagstaff has a total crime rate of 2,697.8 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.