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McAllen vs Phoenix Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: McAllen crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from McAllen, TX to Phoenix, AZ?

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Is McAllen or Phoenix Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, McAllen is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 41/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 36% lower. McAllen has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where McAllen has a 87% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 11.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than McAllen, TX?

McAllen — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

McAllen, TX

McAllen, TX
Safety Score 41/100
Coverage 148,017
Total Crime Rate 1,986.3
Category Wins 6/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type McAllen Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,986.3 3,125.4 -1,139.1
Violent Crime Rate 150.7 800.0 -649.4
Murder Rate 2.7 8.4 -5.7
Rape Rate 39.2 64.3 -25.1
Robbery Rate 23.7 181.6 -158.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 84.5 545.3 -460.9
Property Crime Rate 1,835.6 2,325.3 -489.7
Burglary Rate 63.5 317.2 -253.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,704.5 1,582.1 +122.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 67.6 426.0 -358.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from McAllen, TX to Phoenix, AZ?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is McAllen or Phoenix safer?

McAllen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 36% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

McAllen has a violent crime rate of 150.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. McAllen has lower violent crime.

About McAllen, TX

McAllen, Texas, a vibrant city in the Rio Grande Valley, thrives as a major retail and medical hub. Its subtropical climate and proximity to the Mexican border, just south of Hidalgo, have historically shaped its unique cultural identity. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 148,017, McAllen has a total crime rate of 1,986.3 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.

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