Is Phoenix or Sudbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sudbury is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 97/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 336 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 89% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sudbury has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 83.4x 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
Sudbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Sudbury, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Sudbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 336.0 | +2,789.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 55.2 | +744.9 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 20.1 | +44.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 0.0 | +181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 35.1 | +510.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 280.9 | +2,044.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 15.1 | +302.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 250.8 | +1,331.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 15.1 | +411.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Sudbury safer?
Sudbury is safer with a total crime rate of 336 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 89% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Sudbury has 55.2. Sudbury 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 Sudbury, MA
Sudbury, a affluent town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, is home to the historic Wayside Inn, the nation's oldest operating inn. It's primarily a residential community with a population of around 19,000. With a safety score of 97/100 and a population coverage of 19,939, Sudbury has a total crime rate of 336.0 per 100,000 residents.