Is Phoenix or Tuscaloosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Tuscaloosa (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — 5% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tuscaloosa has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 14.6x 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
Tuscaloosa — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Tuscaloosa, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Tuscaloosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,284.6 | -159.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 553.4 | +246.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 15.8 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 17.6 | +46.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 59.7 | +121.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 460.3 | +85.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,731.2 | -405.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 318.9 | -1.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,159.3 | -577.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 253.0 | +173.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Tuscaloosa safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Tuscaloosa has 553.4. Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama, sits on the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama. Its population is approximately 100,000, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 113,834, Tuscaloosa has a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents.