Is Phoenix or Sault Ste. Marie Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sault Ste. Marie is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 56/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 52% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sault Ste. Marie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 124.9x 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
Sault Ste. Marie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Sault Ste. Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 1,510.1 | +1,615.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 405.7 | +394.3 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 150.3 | -86.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 7.5 | +174.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 247.9 | +297.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,104.4 | +1,220.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 67.6 | +249.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 991.7 | +590.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 45.1 | +381.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Sault Ste. Marie safer?
Sault Ste. Marie is safer with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Sault Ste. Marie has 405.7. Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the oldest city in Michigan, sits on the St. Marys River across from its Canadian twin. Home to the Soo Locks, a major shipping thoroughfare, its population is around 13,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 13,310, Sault Ste. Marie has a total crime rate of 1,510.1 per 100,000 residents.