Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Riverside, CA?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Phoenix, AZ or Riverside, CA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Phoenix, AZ is safer than Riverside, CA (Safety Score 17/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,422 for Riverside, CA — 9% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Riverside has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 5.2x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Riverside — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Riverside, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Riverside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,422.5 | -297.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 590.4 | +209.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 3.1 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 54.0 | +10.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 120.3 | +61.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 412.3 | +133.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,832.1 | -506.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 396.1 | -78.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,984.4 | -402.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 451.7 | -25.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Riverside, CA?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Riverside safer?
Phoenix, AZ is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,422 for Riverside, CA — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Riverside has 590.4. Riverside 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 Riverside, CA
Riverside, California, the birthplace of the California citrus industry, is a sprawling city in the Inland Empire. It lies along the Santa Ana River, home to over 300,000 residents, a diverse population including a large Hispanic demographic. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 320,148, Riverside has a total crime rate of 3,422.5 per 100,000 residents.