Is Phoenix or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 100/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 99% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 7.8x 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
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 16.5 | +3,108.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 16.5 | +783.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 7.5 | +0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 0.0 | +64.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 0.9 | +180.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 8.0 | +537.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 0.0 | +2,325.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 0.0 | +317.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 0.0 | +1,582.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 0.0 | +426.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester 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 Worcester, MA
Worcester, a city of hills in Central Massachusetts, boasts a rich industrial past, home to the first American-made Valentine's Day cards. It's the second-most populous city in New England outside of Boston. With a safety score of 100/100 and a population coverage of 212,425, Worcester has a total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 residents.