Is Phoenix or San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 17/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 31% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Francisco has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 2.1x 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
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
San Francisco, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 4,525.6 | -1,400.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 596.5 | +203.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 4.4 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 34.9 | +29.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 267.2 | -85.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 290.1 | +255.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 3,929.1 | -1,603.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 637.5 | -320.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,618.9 | -1,036.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 672.7 | -246.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or San Francisco safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while San Francisco has 596.5. San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.