Is Maricopa or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Maricopa is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 70/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 65% lower. Maricopa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Maricopa has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 22.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Maricopa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Maricopa, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Maricopa | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,093.7 | 3,125.4 | -2,031.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.8 | 800.0 | -575.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 8.4 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 64.3 | -57.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 181.6 | -176.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.3 | 545.3 | -335.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 868.9 | 2,325.3 | -1,456.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 62.2 | 317.2 | -255.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 748.5 | 1,582.1 | -833.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 58.2 | 426.0 | -367.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maricopa or Phoenix safer?
Maricopa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Maricopa has a violent crime rate of 224.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Maricopa has lower violent crime.
About Maricopa, AZ
Maricopa, Arizona, a city incorporated in 2003, sits in the Sonoran Desert. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona, with a significant portion of its population commuting to Phoenix for work. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 75,614, Maricopa has a total crime rate of 1,093.7 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.