Is Phoenix or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 38/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,074 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 34% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Salem has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 52.0x 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, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,074.3 | +1,051.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 106.4 | +693.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 3.1 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 25.0 | +39.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 46.9 | +134.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 31.3 | +514.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,968.0 | +357.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 62.6 | +254.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,820.9 | -238.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 84.5 | +341.6 |
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 2,074 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Salem has 106.4. 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, NH
Salem, NH, once home to America's first continuously operated amusement park, is a southern New Hampshire town bordering Massachusetts. Its population is primarily white and has grown steadily over the past few decades. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 31,962, Salem has a total crime rate of 2,074.3 per 100,000 residents.