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Memphis vs Phoenix Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Memphis crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from Memphis, TN to Phoenix, AZ?

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Is Memphis or Phoenix Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Memphis (Safety Score 17/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 9,407 for Memphis — 67% lower. Memphis has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Phoenix has a 79% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 2.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Memphis — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN
Safety Score 1/100
Coverage 613,207
Total Crime Rate 9,406.9
Category Wins 0/7

Phoenix, AZ

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

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Memphis Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 9,406.9 3,125.4 +6,281.6
Violent Crime Rate 2,508.0 800.0 +1,707.9
Murder Rate 40.6 8.4 +32.3
Rape Rate 70.0 64.3 +5.7
Robbery Rate 348.7 181.6 +167.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 2,042.1 545.3 +1,496.7
Property Crime Rate 6,899.0 2,325.3 +4,573.6
Burglary Rate 915.8 317.2 +598.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 4,399.5 1,582.1 +2,817.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 1,583.6 426.0 +1,157.6

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

Moving from Memphis, TN 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 Memphis or Phoenix safer?

Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 9,407 for Memphis — a 67% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Memphis has a violent crime rate of 2,508.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.

About Memphis, TN

Memphis, a city on the Mississippi River, is the birthplace of the blues and a major hub for the music industry. Its population is predominantly African American, reflecting a rich cultural heritage and diverse community. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 613,207, Memphis has a total crime rate of 9,406.9 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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