Is Melrose or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Melrose is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 91/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 530 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 83% lower. Melrose has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Melrose has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 55.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Melrose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Melrose, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Melrose | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 530.5 | 3,125.4 | -2,594.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 100.7 | 800.0 | -699.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 64.3 | -64.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 181.6 | -168.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.3 | 545.3 | -458.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 429.8 | 2,325.3 | -1,895.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.3 | 317.2 | -276.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 335.8 | 1,582.1 | -1,246.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.7 | 426.0 | -372.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melrose or Phoenix safer?
Melrose is safer with a total crime rate of 530 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Melrose has a violent crime rate of 100.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Melrose has lower violent crime.
About Melrose, MA
Melrose is a small, affluent city north of Boston, known for its Victorian architecture. Bordered by the Middlesex Fells Reservation, it offers a suburban feel with easy access to urban amenities. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 29,784, Melrose has a total crime rate of 530.5 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.