Is Flagstaff or Tucson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Flagstaff is safer than Tucson (Safety Score 24/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 2,698 per 100,000 versus 3,903 for Tucson — 31% lower. Flagstaff has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Flagstaff has a 50% lower rate.
Note: Tucson is 7.2x 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
Tucson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Flagstaff, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Flagstaff | Tucson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,697.8 | 3,902.8 | -1,205.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 465.8 | 589.7 | -123.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 6.7 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 70.7 | 47.7 | +22.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.6 | 108.1 | -54.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 332.3 | 426.2 | -93.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,232.0 | 3,313.1 | -1,081.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 123.0 | 296.8 | -173.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,970.4 | 2,500.6 | -530.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.7 | 515.7 | -377.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flagstaff or Tucson safer?
Flagstaff is safer with a total crime rate of 2,698 per 100K vs 3,903 for Tucson — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Flagstaff has a violent crime rate of 465.8 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. 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 Tucson, AZ
Tucson, a Sonoran Desert city in southern Arizona, is known for its vibrant Mexican-American heritage and the University of Arizona. Over half a million people reside here, nestled among five mountain ranges. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 548,789, Tucson has a total crime rate of 3,902.8 per 100,000 residents.