Share

Oakland, CA vs Phoenix, AZ Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Oakland crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from Oakland, CA to Phoenix, AZ?

An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Is Oakland, CA or Phoenix, AZ Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Phoenix, AZ is safer than Oakland, CA (Safety Score 17/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 9,156 for Oakland, CA — 66% lower. Oakland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Phoenix has a 73% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 3.8x 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 Oakland, CA?

Oakland — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Oakland, CA

Oakland, CA
Safety Score 1/100
Coverage 435,042
Total Crime Rate 9,155.7
Category Wins 0/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Oakland Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 9,155.7 3,125.4 +6,030.3
Violent Crime Rate 1,925.3 800.0 +1,125.3
Murder Rate 18.6 8.4 +10.3
Rape Rate 68.0 64.3 +3.8
Robbery Rate 680.4 181.6 +498.8
Aggravated Assault Rate 1,158.3 545.3 +612.9
Property Crime Rate 7,230.3 2,325.3 +4,905.0
Burglary Rate 786.8 317.2 +469.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 4,164.7 1,582.1 +2,582.5
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 2,278.9 426.0 +1,852.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Oakland, CA to Phoenix, AZ?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oakland or Phoenix safer?

Phoenix, AZ is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 9,156 for Oakland, CA — a 66% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Oakland has a violent crime rate of 1,925.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.

About Oakland, CA

Oakland, a diverse East Bay city, boasts a rich history of activism and art, including its vibrant jazz scene. Geographically, it sits on the San Francisco Bay's eastern shore, home to a significant port and varied topography. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 435,042, Oakland has a total crime rate of 9,155.7 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.

More Crime Rate Comparisons