Is Phoenix or Sweetwater Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sweetwater is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,170 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 31% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sweetwater has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 80.2x 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
Sweetwater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Sweetwater, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Sweetwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,170.5 | +954.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 101.3 | +698.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 0.0 | +64.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 53.1 | +128.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 48.2 | +497.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,069.2 | +256.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 48.2 | +268.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,664.0 | -81.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 356.9 | +69.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Sweetwater safer?
Sweetwater is safer with a total crime rate of 2,170 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Sweetwater has 101.3. Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater, FL
Sweetwater, Florida, a small city in Miami-Dade County, is home to a significant Cuban population, reflected in its cultural landscape. Originally developed in the 1930s around a planned alligator farm, it sits west of Miami International Airport. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 20,733, Sweetwater has a total crime rate of 2,170.5 per 100,000 residents.