Is Olympia or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Olympia (Safety Score 17/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,000 for Olympia — 22% lower. Olympia has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Olympia has a 40% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 29.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Olympia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olympia, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Olympia | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,000.0 | 3,125.4 | +874.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 564.8 | 800.0 | -235.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 8.4 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 62.8 | 64.3 | -1.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 109.4 | 181.6 | -72.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 545.3 | -159.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,435.2 | 2,325.3 | +1,109.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 568.4 | 317.2 | +251.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,495.7 | 1,582.1 | +913.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 371.1 | 426.0 | -54.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Olympia or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,000 for Olympia — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Olympia has a violent crime rate of 564.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Olympia has lower violent crime.
About Olympia, WA
Olympia, Washington, the state capital, sits at the southern tip of Puget Sound. Known for its vibrant arts scene and Evergreen State College, it has a population of around 55,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 55,775, Olympia has a total crime rate of 4,000.0 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.