Is Phoenix or Syracuse Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Syracuse (Safety Score 17/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,999 for Syracuse — 37% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 45% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.5x 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
Syracuse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Syracuse, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Syracuse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 4,999.5 | -1,874.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 765.3 | +34.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 15.2 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 58.6 | +5.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 133.6 | +48.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 558.0 | -12.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 4,234.2 | -1,908.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 721.2 | -404.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,638.2 | -1,056.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 874.8 | -448.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Syracuse safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,999 for Syracuse — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Syracuse has 765.3. Syracuse 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 Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, a city in Central New York, is home to Syracuse University and its distinctive Carrier Dome. Located near Onondaga Lake, it experiences significant annual snowfall due to lake-effect weather. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 145,175, Syracuse has a total crime rate of 4,999.5 per 100,000 residents.