Is Hillsborough or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hillsborough is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 82/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 774 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 75% lower. Hillsborough has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hillsborough has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 155.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hillsborough — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hillsborough, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hillsborough | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 773.7 | 3,125.4 | -2,351.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 93.2 | 800.0 | -706.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 37.3 | 64.3 | -27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.3 | 181.6 | -172.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 46.6 | 545.3 | -498.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 680.5 | 2,325.3 | -1,644.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 167.8 | 317.2 | -149.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 428.8 | 1,582.1 | -1,153.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 83.9 | 426.0 | -342.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hillsborough or Phoenix safer?
Hillsborough is safer with a total crime rate of 774 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hillsborough has a violent crime rate of 93.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Hillsborough has lower violent crime.
About Hillsborough, CA
Hillsborough is an affluent, residential town on the San Francisco Peninsula, known for its large estates and lack of commercial zoning. It was incorporated in 1910 and has a median household income significantly higher than the national average. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 10,728, Hillsborough has a total crime rate of 773.7 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.