Is Phoenix or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waltham is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 76/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 951 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 70% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waltham has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 25.4x 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
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 951.3 | +2,174.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 252.0 | +548.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 1.5 | +6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 18.3 | +46.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 22.9 | +158.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 209.2 | +336.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 699.4 | +1,626.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 125.2 | +192.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 519.2 | +1,063.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 55.0 | +371.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Waltham safer?
Waltham is safer with a total crime rate of 951 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Waltham 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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.