Is Phoenix or Santa Clara Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Clara is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 25/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,684 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 14% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Clara has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 12.6x 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
Santa Clara — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Santa Clara, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Santa Clara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,683.8 | +441.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 182.0 | +618.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 1.5 | +6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 19.7 | +44.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 57.6 | +124.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 103.1 | +442.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,501.9 | -176.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 337.4 | -20.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,771.0 | -188.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 393.5 | +32.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Santa Clara safer?
Santa Clara is safer with a total crime rate of 2,684 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Santa Clara has 182.0. Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara, home to Levi's Stadium, is a Silicon Valley city in Santa Clara County. It's a key tech hub with a diverse, educated population and a significant presence of professionals in the STEM fields. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 131,901, Santa Clara has a total crime rate of 2,683.8 per 100,000 residents.