Is Phoenix or Sarasota Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sarasota is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,165 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 31% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sarasota has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 28.5x 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
Sarasota — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Sarasota, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Sarasota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,164.9 | +960.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 549.4 | +250.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 12.0 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 39.4 | +24.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 85.6 | +96.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 412.5 | +132.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,615.6 | +709.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 246.4 | +70.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,358.8 | +223.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 10.3 | +415.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Sarasota safer?
Sarasota is safer with a total crime rate of 2,165 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Sarasota has 549.4. Sarasota 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 Sarasota, FL
Sarasota, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, boasts Ringling Museum’s circus heritage. This city of over 50,000 residents is a popular snowbird destination. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 58,432, Sarasota has a total crime rate of 2,164.9 per 100,000 residents.