Is Phoenix or Santa Cruz Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Santa Cruz (Safety Score 17/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,128 for Santa Cruz — 0% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Santa Cruz has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 27.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Cruz — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Santa Cruz, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Santa Cruz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,128.2 | -2.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 612.9 | +187.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 4.9 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 42.4 | +21.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 102.7 | +78.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 463.0 | +82.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,515.2 | -189.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 135.3 | +181.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,221.8 | -639.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 158.1 | +267.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Santa Cruz safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,128 for Santa Cruz — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Santa Cruz has 612.9. Santa Cruz 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 Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, California, a coastal city known for its historic Beach Boardwalk, sits on Monterey Bay. It's home to a significant student population, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 61,346, Santa Cruz has a total crime rate of 3,128.2 per 100,000 residents.