Is Pasadena or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Pasadena (Safety Score 17/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,178 for Pasadena — 2% lower. Pasadena has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pasadena has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 12.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pasadena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pasadena, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pasadena | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,178.1 | 3,125.4 | +52.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 481.2 | 800.0 | -318.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.8 | 8.4 | -7.6 |
| Rape Rate | 33.3 | 64.3 | -31.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 119.7 | 181.6 | -61.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 326.6 | 545.3 | -218.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,696.9 | 2,325.3 | +371.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 557.0 | 317.2 | +239.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,864.9 | 1,582.1 | +282.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 275.1 | 426.0 | -151.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pasadena or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,178 for Pasadena — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pasadena has a violent crime rate of 481.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Pasadena has lower violent crime.
About Pasadena, CA
Pasadena, nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, is famous for the Rose Bowl Parade. This affluent city in Los Angeles County is home to a diverse population. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 131,966, Pasadena has a total crime rate of 3,178.1 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.