Is Panama City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Panama City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 22/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,838 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 9% lower. Panama City has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Panama City has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 45.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Panama City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Panama City, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Panama City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,838.0 | 3,125.4 | -287.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 649.5 | 800.0 | -150.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.2 | 8.4 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 64.3 | -7.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.6 | 181.6 | -157.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 559.4 | 545.3 | +14.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,188.5 | 2,325.3 | -136.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 401.1 | 317.2 | +84.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,681.0 | 1,582.1 | +98.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 426.0 | -319.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City or Phoenix safer?
Panama City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,838 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Panama City has a violent crime rate of 649.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Panama City has lower violent crime.
About Panama City, FL
Panama City, Florida, a popular tourist destination, sits on St. Andrew Bay, connecting to the Gulf of Mexico. Its economy heavily relies on tourism, fishing, and Tyndall Air Force Base, a significant local employer. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 36,646, Panama City has a total crime rate of 2,838.0 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.