Is Phoenix or Tucson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Tucson (Safety Score 17/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,903 for Tucson — 20% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tucson has a 41% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 3.0x 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
Tucson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Tucson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,902.8 | -777.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 589.7 | +210.4 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 6.7 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 47.7 | +16.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 108.1 | +73.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 426.2 | +119.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 3,313.1 | -987.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 296.8 | +20.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,500.6 | -918.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 515.7 | -89.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Tucson safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,903 for Tucson — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. Tucson 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 Tucson, AZ
Tucson, a Sonoran Desert city in southern Arizona, is known for its vibrant Mexican-American heritage and the University of Arizona. Over half a million people reside here, nestled among five mountain ranges. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 548,789, Tucson has a total crime rate of 3,902.8 per 100,000 residents.