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Payson, AZ vs Phoenix, AZ Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Payson crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

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Is Payson, AZ or Phoenix, AZ Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Payson, AZ is safer than Phoenix, AZ (Safety Score 57/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,490 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix, AZ — 52% lower. Payson has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Payson has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 98.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Payson, AZ?

Payson — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Payson, AZ

Payson, AZ
Safety Score 57/100
Coverage 16,845
Total Crime Rate 1,490.1
Category Wins 7/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Payson Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,490.1 3,125.4 -1,635.3
Violent Crime Rate 267.1 800.0 -532.9
Murder Rate 0.0 8.4 -8.4
Rape Rate 0.0 64.3 -64.3
Robbery Rate 0.0 181.6 -181.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 261.2 545.3 -284.1
Property Crime Rate 1,222.9 2,325.3 -1,102.4
Burglary Rate 219.7 317.2 -97.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 872.7 1,582.1 -709.5
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 130.6 426.0 -295.4

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Payson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Payson or Phoenix safer?

Payson, AZ is safer with a total crime rate of 1,490 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix, AZ — a 52% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Payson has a violent crime rate of 267.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Payson has lower violent crime.

About Payson, AZ

Payson, Arizona, "Heart of Arizona," is a small town in Gila County, nestled in the Mogollon Rim. Known for its rodeo heritage, it boasts a population of around 16,000, attracting retirees and outdoor enthusiasts. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 16,845, Payson has a total crime rate of 1,490.1 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.

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