Is Murrieta or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Murrieta is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 69/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,128 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 64% lower. Murrieta has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Murrieta has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 14.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Murrieta — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Murrieta, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Murrieta | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,128.2 | 3,125.4 | -1,997.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 184.6 | 800.0 | -615.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.9 | 8.4 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 27.7 | 64.3 | -36.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 181.6 | -146.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.4 | 545.3 | -424.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 943.6 | 2,325.3 | -1,381.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 134.7 | 317.2 | -182.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 699.2 | 1,582.1 | -882.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 109.7 | 426.0 | -316.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Murrieta or Phoenix safer?
Murrieta is safer with a total crime rate of 1,128 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Murrieta has a violent crime rate of 184.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Murrieta has lower violent crime.
About Murrieta, CA
Murrieta, once a stop on the Butterfield Stage Route, is a suburban city in southwest Riverside County. It sits in a valley, largely populated by families and commuters. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 112,125, Murrieta has a total crime rate of 1,128.2 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.