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Phoenix vs Scottsdale Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Phoenix crime rate · Scottsdale crime rate

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Is Phoenix or Scottsdale Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Scottsdale is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 40/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 35% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Scottsdale has a 95% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 6.8x 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 SAFER than Phoenix, AZ?

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Scottsdale — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 0/7

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ
Safety Score 40/100
Coverage 245,237
Total Crime Rate 2,028.7
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Phoenix Scottsdale Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4 2,028.7 +1,096.7
Violent Crime Rate 800.0 153.3 +646.7
Murder Rate 8.4 0.4 +8.0
Rape Rate 64.3 33.8 +30.5
Robbery Rate 181.6 22.0 +159.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 545.3 96.2 +449.1
Property Crime Rate 2,325.3 1,875.3 +450.0
Burglary Rate 317.2 182.3 +134.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,582.1 1,534.8 +47.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 426.0 158.2 +267.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix or Scottsdale safer?

Scottsdale is safer with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 35% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Scottsdale has 153.3. Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, Arizona, a vibrant Sonoran Desert city, is known for its luxurious resorts and the historic influence of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Located east of Phoenix, it's a popular destination for affluent residents and tourists seeking outdoor recreation and upscale amenities. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 245,237, Scottsdale has a total crime rate of 2,028.7 per 100,000 residents.

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