Is Novato or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Novato is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 52/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,608 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 49% lower. Novato has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Novato has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 32.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Novato — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Novato, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Novato | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,607.6 | 3,125.4 | -1,517.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 253.6 | 800.0 | -546.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 33.2 | 64.3 | -31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.8 | 181.6 | -134.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 173.6 | 545.3 | -371.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,353.9 | 2,325.3 | -971.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 78.0 | 317.2 | -239.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,114.0 | 1,582.1 | -468.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 161.9 | 426.0 | -264.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Novato or Phoenix safer?
Novato is safer with a total crime rate of 1,608 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Novato has a violent crime rate of 253.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Novato has lower violent crime.
About Novato, CA
Novato, a Marin County city, was once home to Hamilton Air Force Base. Today, its diverse population of over 50,000 resides in a landscape dotted with wetlands and rolling hills. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 51,258, Novato has a total crime rate of 1,607.6 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.