Is Phoenix or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 49/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 45% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 36.2x 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
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Salem, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 1,706.0 | +1,419.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 152.3 | +647.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 13.1 | +51.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 34.8 | +146.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 104.5 | +440.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,553.7 | +771.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 106.6 | +210.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,347.0 | +235.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 100.1 | +325.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Salem has 152.3. Salem 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 Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 per 100,000 residents.