Is Phoenix or South San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South San Francisco is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 45/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,859 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 41% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where South San Francisco has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 26.7x 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
South San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
South San Francisco, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | South San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 1,859.3 | +1,266.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 300.5 | +499.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 22.5 | +41.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 35.4 | +146.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 242.7 | +302.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,558.8 | +766.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 102.9 | +214.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,107.2 | +474.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 348.7 | +77.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or South San Francisco safer?
South San Francisco is safer with a total crime rate of 1,859 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while South San Francisco has 300.5. South San Francisco 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 South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco, once "The Industrial City," is a diverse Bay Area city located just north of San Francisco International Airport. Its waterfront location and proximity to major biotech firms define much of its character. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 62,229, South San Francisco has a total crime rate of 1,859.3 per 100,000 residents.
More Crime Rate Comparisons
Compare Phoenix
Compare South San Francisco
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