Is Imperial or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Imperial is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 98/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 259 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 92% lower. Imperial has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Imperial has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 75.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Imperial — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Imperial, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Imperial | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 259.3 | 3,125.4 | -2,866.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 77.3 | 800.0 | -722.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 9.1 | 64.3 | -55.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 68.2 | 545.3 | -477.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 182.0 | 2,325.3 | -2,143.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 31.9 | 317.2 | -285.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 104.6 | 1,582.1 | -1,477.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 45.5 | 426.0 | -380.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Imperial or Phoenix safer?
Imperial is safer with a total crime rate of 259 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Imperial has a violent crime rate of 77.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Imperial has lower violent crime.
About Imperial, CA
Imperial, California, a city in the Imperial Valley near the Mexican border, was incorporated in 1904. Its desert climate supports a significant agricultural industry, with a population around 20,000. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 21,980, Imperial has a total crime rate of 259.3 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.