Is Irvine or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Irvine is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 57/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,474 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 53% lower. Irvine has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Irvine has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 5.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Irvine — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Irvine, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Irvine | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,473.7 | 3,125.4 | -1,651.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 84.0 | 800.0 | -716.1 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 8.4 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 13.3 | 64.3 | -51.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 181.6 | -159.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 47.0 | 545.3 | -498.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,389.7 | 2,325.3 | -935.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 197.9 | 317.2 | -119.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,122.0 | 1,582.1 | -460.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.8 | 426.0 | -356.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Irvine or Phoenix safer?
Irvine is safer with a total crime rate of 1,474 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Irvine has a violent crime rate of 84.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Irvine has lower violent crime.
About Irvine, CA
Irvine, a master-planned community developed by the Irvine Company, is home to a large Asian population and the University of California, Irvine. Located in Orange County, it features extensive green spaces and business parks. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 316,764, Irvine has a total crime rate of 1,473.7 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.