Share

Phoenix vs Sacramento Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Phoenix crime rate · Sacramento crime rate

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Sacramento, 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.

Get the planner →

Is Phoenix or Sacramento Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Sacramento (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,302 for Sacramento — 5% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

Note: Phoenix is 3.2x 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

Sacramento — 5-Year Trend

Increasing 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 6/7

Sacramento, CA

Sacramento, CA
Safety Score 15/100
Coverage 526,670
Total Crime Rate 3,302.5
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Phoenix Sacramento Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4 3,302.5 -177.1
Violent Crime Rate 800.0 755.1 +44.9
Murder Rate 8.4 8.5 -0.2
Rape Rate 64.3 34.6 +29.7
Robbery Rate 181.6 192.2 -10.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 545.3 519.7 +25.7
Property Crime Rate 2,325.3 2,547.3 -222.0
Burglary Rate 317.2 441.6 -124.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,582.1 1,596.1 -13.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 426.0 509.6 -83.6

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

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Sacramento, 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.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix or Sacramento safer?

Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,302 for Sacramento — a 5% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Sacramento has 755.1. Sacramento 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 Sacramento, CA

Sacramento, California's state capital, sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. A key Gold Rush city, it's known for its tree-lined streets and diverse population. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 526,670, Sacramento has a total crime rate of 3,302.5 per 100,000 residents.

More Crime Rate Comparisons