Is Fontana or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fontana is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 57/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,487 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 52% lower. Fontana has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fontana has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 7.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fontana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fontana, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fontana | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,486.6 | 3,125.4 | -1,638.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 270.2 | 800.0 | -529.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.9 | 8.4 | -7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 22.1 | 64.3 | -42.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.1 | 181.6 | -125.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 191.2 | 545.3 | -354.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,216.4 | 2,325.3 | -1,108.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 146.6 | 317.2 | -170.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 794.1 | 1,582.1 | -788.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 275.7 | 426.0 | -150.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontana or Phoenix safer?
Fontana is safer with a total crime rate of 1,487 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fontana has a violent crime rate of 270.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Fontana has lower violent crime.
About Fontana, CA
Fontana, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in San Bernardino County, was once a major agricultural hub, especially for citrus. It's now a diverse, growing city with a significant Latino population. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 217,605, Fontana has a total crime rate of 1,486.6 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.