Is Miami or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Miami (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,469 for Miami — 10% lower. Miami has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Miami has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 3.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Miami — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Miami, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Miami | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,468.8 | 3,125.4 | +343.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 473.7 | 800.0 | -326.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 8.4 | -2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 23.5 | 64.3 | -40.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 95.4 | 181.6 | -86.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.4 | 545.3 | -196.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,995.1 | 2,325.3 | +669.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.3 | 317.2 | -22.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,290.4 | 1,582.1 | +708.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 410.3 | 426.0 | -15.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miami or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,469 for Miami — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Miami has a violent crime rate of 473.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Miami has lower violent crime.
About Miami, FL
Miami, a vibrant South Florida metropolis, thrives as a major port city with a large Cuban-American population. Its unique blend of Caribbean and Latin American influences, evident in its art and music, is shaped by its subtropical climate and coastal location. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 460,392, Miami has a total crime rate of 3,468.8 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.