Is Phoenix or Tempe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Tempe (Safety Score 17/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,364 for Tempe — 7% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tempe has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 8.7x 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
Tempe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Tempe, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Tempe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,364.1 | -238.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 470.3 | +329.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 2.6 | +5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 71.6 | -7.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 66.4 | +115.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 329.7 | +215.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,893.8 | -568.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 334.4 | -17.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,257.9 | -675.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 301.5 | +124.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Tempe safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,364 for Tempe — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Tempe has 470.3. Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ
Tempe, Arizona, home to Arizona State University's largest campus, sits in the Valley of the Sun. This vibrant city, named for the Vale of Tempe in Greece, boasts a young, educated population drawn to its urban core and outdoor recreation along Tempe Town Lake. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 191,376, Tempe has a total crime rate of 3,364.1 per 100,000 residents.