Is Phoenix or Portsmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portsmouth is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 96/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 358 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 89% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portsmouth has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 94.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Portsmouth, RI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 358.4 | +2,767.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 11.4 | +788.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 5.7 | +58.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 0.0 | +181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 5.7 | +539.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 347.0 | +1,978.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 39.8 | +277.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 284.4 | +1,297.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 22.8 | +403.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Portsmouth safer?
Portsmouth is safer with a total crime rate of 358 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 89% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Portsmouth has 11.4. Portsmouth has lower violent crime.
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.
About Portsmouth, RI
Portsmouth, RI, a coastal town on Aquidneck Island, was settled in 1638 by religious dissidents. Its scenic waters are home to numerous sailing events and a significant portion of its residents commute to nearby cities. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 17,579, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 358.4 per 100,000 residents.