Is Pasadena or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pasadena is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 21/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,919 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 7% lower. Pasadena has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pasadena has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.5x 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, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pasadena | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,918.8 | 3,125.4 | -206.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 566.8 | 800.0 | -233.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 8.4 | -4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 69.6 | 64.3 | +5.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.7 | 181.6 | -107.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 418.7 | 545.3 | -126.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,351.9 | 2,325.3 | +26.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 252.1 | 317.2 | -65.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,677.7 | 1,582.1 | +95.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 422.2 | 426.0 | -3.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pasadena or Phoenix safer?
Pasadena is safer with a total crime rate of 2,919 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pasadena has a violent crime rate of 566.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Pasadena has lower violent crime.
About Pasadena, TX
Pasadena, Texas, founded in 1893 after a devastating hurricane, sits southeast of Houston. This large, working-class suburb is a hub for chemical and petrochemical industries along the Houston Ship Channel. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 145,199, Pasadena has a total crime rate of 2,918.8 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.