Is Phoenix or Salisbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Salisbury (Safety Score 17/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,947 for Salisbury — 37% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Phoenix has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 45.5x 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
Salisbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Salisbury, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Salisbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 4,947.5 | -1,822.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 960.0 | -159.9 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 30.1 | -21.7 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 57.4 | +6.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 145.0 | +36.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 727.5 | -182.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 3,987.5 | -1,662.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 402.0 | -84.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,762.3 | -1,180.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 823.2 | -397.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Salisbury safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,947 for Salisbury — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Salisbury has 960.0. Phoenix 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 Salisbury, NC
Salisbury, NC, home to Cheerwine, is a city of over 35,000 residents in Rowan County. It sits in the Piedmont region, roughly midway between Charlotte and Greensboro. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 36,564, Salisbury has a total crime rate of 4,947.5 per 100,000 residents.