Is Phoenix or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Petersburg is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 1% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Petersburg has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 6.3x 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. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,080.8 | +44.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 621.9 | +178.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 6.8 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 43.4 | +20.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 81.5 | +100.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 487.9 | +57.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,458.9 | -133.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 209.4 | +107.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,029.8 | -447.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 219.6 | +206.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or St. Petersburg safer?
St. Petersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. St. Petersburg 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. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.