Is Phoenix or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 17/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,872 for Rochester — 19% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Phoenix has a 36% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 8.1x 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
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Rochester, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,871.6 | -746.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 582.3 | +217.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 13.1 | -4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 18.4 | +45.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 153.3 | +28.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 397.4 | +148.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 3,289.3 | -964.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 404.7 | -87.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,795.8 | -213.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 1,088.8 | -662.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Rochester safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,872 for Rochester — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Rochester has 582.3. Rochester 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 Rochester, NY
Rochester, NY, a city along Lake Ontario's southern shore, was once the "Flour City" due to its milling industry on the Genesee River. It's home to a diverse population of just over 200,000 residents. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 206,093, Rochester has a total crime rate of 3,871.6 per 100,000 residents.