Is Phoenix or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,685 for Richmond — 15% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Phoenix has a 21% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 14.7x 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
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Richmond, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,685.5 | -560.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 923.1 | -123.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 7.9 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 21.2 | +43.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 231.0 | -49.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 663.0 | -117.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,762.4 | -437.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 128.7 | +188.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,653.2 | -71.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 980.4 | -554.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Richmond safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,685 for Richmond — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Richmond has 923.1. Phoenix 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 Richmond, CA
Richmond, California, a Bay Area city with a deep industrial past, was home to a major Kaiser Shipyard during WWII. This diverse city on the San Francisco Bay has a significant Black population, reflecting its wartime boom. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 113,418, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,685.5 per 100,000 residents.