Is Phoenix or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 9% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Paul has a 34% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 5.5x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,452.1 | -326.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 618.0 | +182.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 8.6 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 65.8 | -1.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 119.1 | +62.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 424.3 | +121.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,834.1 | -508.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 468.3 | -151.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,883.6 | -301.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 482.2 | -56.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or St. Paul safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. St. Paul 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 St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, Minnesota, is the state capital, known for its historic Summit Avenue. This city, one of the "Twin Cities," sits on the Mississippi River, with a diverse population of over 300,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 304,051, St. Paul has a total crime rate of 3,452.1 per 100,000 residents.