Is Phoenix or Santa Paula Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Paula is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 66/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,204 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 61% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Santa Paula has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 51.7x 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 Paula — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Santa Paula, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Santa Paula | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 1,204.1 | +1,921.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 329.8 | +470.2 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 3.1 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 37.3 | +27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 49.8 | +131.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 236.5 | +308.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 874.3 | +1,451.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 84.0 | +233.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 672.1 | +910.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 118.2 | +307.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Santa Paula safer?
Santa Paula is safer with a total crime rate of 1,204 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Santa Paula has 329.8. Santa Paula 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 Paula, CA
Nestled in the Santa Clara River Valley, Santa Paula is a Ventura County city known as the "Citrus Capital of the World." Its historic downtown and surrounding agricultural lands reflect a rich heritage, with a population of approximately 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 32,139, Santa Paula has a total crime rate of 1,204.1 per 100,000 residents.