Is New York City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 3% lower. New York City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 53% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 5.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 3,125.4 | -85.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 800.0 | -128.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 8.4 | -4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 64.3 | -40.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 181.6 | +5.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 545.3 | -89.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 2,325.3 | +42.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 317.2 | -162.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,582.1 | +432.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 426.0 | -227.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Phoenix safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. New York City has lower violent crime.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 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.