Is Palm Bay or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palm Bay is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 61/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 56% lower. Palm Bay has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Palm Bay has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palm Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palm Bay, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palm Bay | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,365.3 | 3,125.4 | -1,760.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 347.9 | 800.0 | -452.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 8.4 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 64.3 | -16.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.7 | 181.6 | -129.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 240.2 | 545.3 | -305.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,017.5 | 2,325.3 | -1,307.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 229.6 | 317.2 | -87.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 724.8 | 1,582.1 | -857.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.1 | 426.0 | -363.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palm Bay or Phoenix safer?
Palm Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palm Bay has a violent crime rate of 347.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Palm Bay has lower violent crime.
About Palm Bay, FL
Palm Bay, a sprawling city on Florida's Space Coast, began as Tillman and grew significantly after being marketed by General Development Corporation. Its diverse population, largely residential, stretches across a low-lying, wooded landscape along the Indian River Lagoon. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 141,137, Palm Bay has a total crime rate of 1,365.3 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.