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Phoenix, AZ vs Richmond, VA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Phoenix crime rate · Richmond crime rate

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Richmond, VA?

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Is Phoenix, AZ or Richmond, VA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Phoenix, AZ is safer than Richmond, VA (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond, VA — 11% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Phoenix has a 65% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 7.2x 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 Phoenix, AZ?

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Richmond — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 4/7

Richmond, VA

Richmond, VA
Safety Score 13/100
Coverage 231,805
Total Crime Rate 3,516.3
Category Wins 3/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Phoenix Richmond Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4 3,516.3 -391.0
Violent Crime Rate 800.0 336.9 +463.1
Murder Rate 8.4 24.2 -15.8
Rape Rate 64.3 18.6 +45.7
Robbery Rate 181.6 94.5 +87.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 545.3 199.7 +345.6
Property Crime Rate 2,325.3 3,179.4 -854.1
Burglary Rate 317.2 265.3 +51.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,582.1 2,386.9 -804.8
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 426.0 527.2 -101.1

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

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Richmond, VA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix or Richmond safer?

Phoenix, AZ is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond, VA — a 11% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond 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, VA

Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.

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