Is Phoenix or Surprise Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Surprise is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 75/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 985 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 68% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Surprise has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 10.2x 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
Surprise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Surprise, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Surprise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 984.7 | +2,140.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 109.1 | +691.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 7.4 | +1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 16.5 | +47.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 11.0 | +170.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 74.1 | +471.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 875.6 | +1,449.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 94.4 | +222.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 682.0 | +900.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 99.3 | +326.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Surprise safer?
Surprise is safer with a total crime rate of 985 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Surprise has 109.1. Surprise 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 Surprise, AZ
Surprise, Arizona, once a small farming community founded in 1938, is now a rapidly growing city in the Sonoran Desert. Located northwest of Phoenix, it's home to a significant population of retirees and families. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 163,202, Surprise has a total crime rate of 984.7 per 100,000 residents.