Is Gainesville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Gainesville (Safety Score 17/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,448 for Gainesville — 9% lower. Gainesville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gainesville has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gainesville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,447.8 | 3,125.4 | +322.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 744.1 | 800.0 | -55.9 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 8.4 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 85.7 | 64.3 | +21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 133.3 | 181.6 | -48.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 545.3 | -31.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,703.7 | 2,325.3 | +378.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 307.4 | 317.2 | -9.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,292.9 | 1,582.1 | +710.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.4 | 426.0 | -322.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,448 for Gainesville — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 744.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Gainesville has lower violent crime.
About Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is a central North Florida city. Its humid subtropical climate supports a diverse population of over 140,000 residents. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 147,022, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 3,447.8 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.