Is Phoenix or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 98/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 312 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 90% 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 148.3x 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 — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Salem, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 312.1 | +2,813.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 8.9 | +791.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 0.0 | +64.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 0.0 | +181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 8.9 | +536.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 303.2 | +2,022.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 8.9 | +308.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 285.4 | +1,296.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 8.9 | +417.1 |
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 312 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Salem has 8.9. 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, UT
Salem, Utah, named for Salem, Massachusetts, is a small city in Utah County, nestled in the southern part of Utah Valley. Its population of around 10,000 residents is predominantly white and Mormon. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 11,213, Salem has a total crime rate of 312.1 per 100,000 residents.