Is Long Beach or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Long Beach (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,156 for Long Beach — 25% lower. Long Beach has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 33% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 3.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Long Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Long Beach, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Long Beach | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,155.7 | 3,125.4 | +1,030.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 676.9 | 800.0 | -123.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 8.4 | 0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 64.3 | -19.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 222.6 | 181.6 | +41.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.5 | 545.3 | -144.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,478.8 | 2,325.3 | +1,153.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 704.8 | 317.2 | +387.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,795.7 | 1,582.1 | +213.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 978.3 | 426.0 | +552.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,156 for Long Beach — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Long Beach has a violent crime rate of 676.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Long Beach has lower violent crime.
About Long Beach, CA
Long Beach, a coastal city in Southern California, is home to the historic Queen Mary ocean liner. It boasts a diverse population exceeding 460,000, situated at the southern end of Los Angeles County. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 444,232, Long Beach has a total crime rate of 4,155.7 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.