Is Phoenix or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 27/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 19% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 15.1x 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
Santa Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,543.3 | +582.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 660.6 | +139.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 2.7 | +5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 68.2 | -3.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 173.6 | +8.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 416.2 | +129.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,882.7 | +442.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 312.6 | +4.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,149.4 | +432.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 420.7 | +5.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. Santa Maria 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 Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.