Is Petaluma or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petaluma is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 58/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 54% lower. Petaluma has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Petaluma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 28.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Petaluma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petaluma, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Petaluma | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,444.6 | 3,125.4 | -1,680.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 271.8 | 800.0 | -528.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 44.5 | 64.3 | -19.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.5 | 181.6 | -137.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.9 | 545.3 | -362.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,172.8 | 2,325.3 | -1,152.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 95.7 | 317.2 | -221.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 976.2 | 1,582.1 | -606.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.9 | 426.0 | -325.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petaluma or Phoenix safer?
Petaluma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Petaluma has a violent crime rate of 271.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Petaluma has lower violent crime.
About Petaluma, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Petaluma is a historic dairy town known for its well-preserved iron-front buildings and a population of around 60,000. It straddles the Petaluma River, flowing into San Pablo Bay. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 58,493, Petaluma has a total crime rate of 1,444.6 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.