Is Phoenix or Wellesley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wellesley is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 91/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 532 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 83% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wellesley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 52.0x 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
Wellesley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Wellesley, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Wellesley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 531.7 | +2,593.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 46.9 | +753.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 9.4 | +54.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 0.0 | +181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 37.5 | +507.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 484.8 | +1,840.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 65.7 | +251.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 378.4 | +1,203.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 40.7 | +385.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Wellesley safer?
Wellesley is safer with a total crime rate of 532 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Wellesley has 46.9. Wellesley 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 Wellesley, MA
Wellesley, a affluent Boston suburb known for Wellesley College, occupies a tree-lined landscape with a median household income exceeding $200,000. Its population of around 29,000 residents reflects a highly educated community, with over 80% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 31,973, Wellesley has a total crime rate of 531.7 per 100,000 residents.