Is Phoenix or San Luis Obispo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Luis Obispo is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,093 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 1% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Luis Obispo has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 33.3x 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
San Luis Obispo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
San Luis Obispo, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | San Luis Obispo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,093.2 | +32.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 424.4 | +375.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 60.1 | +4.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 82.1 | +99.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 282.3 | +263.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,668.8 | -343.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 322.3 | -5.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,196.3 | -614.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 150.2 | +275.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or San Luis Obispo safer?
San Luis Obispo is safer with a total crime rate of 3,093 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while San Luis Obispo has 424.4. San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo, CA
Nestled in California's Central Coast, San Luis Obispo is home to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772. This city of roughly 47,000 residents boasts a vibrant downtown and is surrounded by rolling hills. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 49,948, San Luis Obispo has a total crime rate of 3,093.2 per 100,000 residents.