Is Phoenix or Redwood City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Redwood City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 38/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,092 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 33% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Redwood City has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 20.8x 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
Redwood City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Redwood City, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Redwood City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,092.2 | +1,033.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 472.2 | +327.9 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 2.5 | +5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 53.7 | +10.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 137.4 | +44.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 278.5 | +266.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,620.0 | +705.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 118.7 | +198.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,246.6 | +335.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 254.8 | +171.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Redwood City safer?
Redwood City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,092 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Redwood City has 472.2. Redwood City 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 Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, was once a major lumber port. It sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, with a diverse population and a significant Latin American community. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 80,060, Redwood City has a total crime rate of 2,092.2 per 100,000 residents.