Is Phoenix or Sparks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sparks is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 20/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 5% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sparks has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 15.0x 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
Sparks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Sparks, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Sparks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,979.1 | +146.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 395.3 | +404.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 4.5 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 83.9 | -19.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 56.0 | +125.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 250.0 | +295.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,583.8 | -258.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 301.4 | +15.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,964.7 | -382.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 317.7 | +108.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Sparks safer?
Sparks is safer with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Sparks has 395.3. Sparks 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 Sparks, NV
Sparks, Nevada, a city east of Reno, was once known as "The Crossroads of the West" due to its railroad heritage. With a population exceeding 100,000, it's a significant part of the Truckee Meadows region. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 110,807, Sparks has a total crime rate of 2,979.1 per 100,000 residents.