Is Nogales or Tucson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Nogales is safer than Tucson (Safety Score 10/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,830 per 100,000 versus 3,903 for Tucson — 2% lower. Nogales has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Nogales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Tucson is 27.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Nogales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tucson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nogales, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Nogales | Tucson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,830.1 | 3,902.8 | -72.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 228.6 | 589.7 | -361.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.7 | -6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 47.7 | -47.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 108.1 | -108.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 228.6 | 426.2 | -197.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,601.5 | 3,313.1 | +288.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 477.5 | 296.8 | +180.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,291.0 | 2,500.6 | -209.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 833.1 | 515.7 | +317.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nogales or Tucson safer?
Nogales is safer with a total crime rate of 3,830 per 100K vs 3,903 for Tucson — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Nogales has a violent crime rate of 228.6 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. Nogales has lower violent crime.
About Nogales, AZ
Nogales, Arizona, a border town with Mexico, is bisected by the international boundary. Its historic downtown, once a bustling hub of commerce, reflects its unique binational character as a port of entry. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 19,686, Nogales has a total crime rate of 3,830.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Tucson, AZ
Tucson, a Sonoran Desert city in southern Arizona, is known for its vibrant Mexican-American heritage and the University of Arizona. Over half a million people reside here, nestled among five mountain ranges. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 548,789, Tucson has a total crime rate of 3,902.8 per 100,000 residents.