Is Phoenix or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 43% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 7.2x 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
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 5,518.3 | -2,392.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 677.5 | +122.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 7.0 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 76.7 | -12.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 145.1 | +36.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 446.1 | +99.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 4,840.8 | -2,515.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 646.5 | -329.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 3,668.8 | -2,086.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 525.4 | -99.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Spokane safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. Spokane 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 Spokane, WA
Spokane, the "Lilac City," sits on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, near the Idaho border. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, its population is around 229,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 229,529, Spokane has a total crime rate of 5,518.3 per 100,000 residents.