Is Merced or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Merced (Safety Score 17/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,577 for Merced — 13% lower. Merced has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
Note: Phoenix is 17.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Merced — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merced, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Merced | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,577.3 | 3,125.4 | +452.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 784.8 | 800.0 | -15.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.3 | 8.4 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 103.0 | 64.3 | +38.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 166.5 | 181.6 | -15.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 507.9 | 545.3 | -37.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,792.6 | 2,325.3 | +467.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 569.3 | 317.2 | +252.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,738.2 | 1,582.1 | +156.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 485.0 | 426.0 | +59.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merced or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,577 for Merced — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Merced has a violent crime rate of 784.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Merced has lower violent crime.
About Merced, CA
Merced, a Central Valley city known for its proximity to Yosemite, serves as a significant agricultural hub. This community, home to a University of California campus, experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 96,077, Merced has a total crime rate of 3,577.3 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.