Is Phoenix or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 17/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 46% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 2.2x 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
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 5,783.1 | -2,657.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 775.5 | +24.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 6.8 | +1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 46.3 | +18.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 220.6 | -39.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 501.3 | +44.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 5,007.6 | -2,682.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 1,152.0 | -834.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,882.0 | -1,299.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 973.6 | -547.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Seattle safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. Seattle 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 Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.