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Scottsdale vs Tucson Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Scottsdale crime rate · Tucson crime rate

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Is Scottsdale or Tucson Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Scottsdale is safer than Tucson (Safety Score 40/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100,000 versus 3,903 for Tucson — 48% lower. Scottsdale has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Scottsdale has a 94% lower rate.

Note: Tucson is 2.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Scottsdale, AZ?

Scottsdale — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Tucson — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ
Safety Score 40/100
Coverage 245,237
Total Crime Rate 2,028.7
Category Wins 7/7

Tucson, AZ

Tucson, AZ
Safety Score 9/100
Coverage 548,789
Total Crime Rate 3,902.8
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Scottsdale Tucson Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,028.7 3,902.8 -1,874.1
Violent Crime Rate 153.3 589.7 -436.3
Murder Rate 0.4 6.7 -6.3
Rape Rate 33.8 47.7 -13.9
Robbery Rate 22.0 108.1 -86.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 96.2 426.2 -330.0
Property Crime Rate 1,875.3 3,313.1 -1,437.8
Burglary Rate 182.3 296.8 -114.6
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,534.8 2,500.6 -965.8
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 158.2 515.7 -357.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Tucson, AZ?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scottsdale or Tucson safer?

Scottsdale is safer with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100K vs 3,903 for Tucson — a 48% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Scottsdale has a violent crime rate of 153.3 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. Scottsdale has lower violent crime.

About Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, Arizona, a vibrant Sonoran Desert city, is known for its luxurious resorts and the historic influence of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Located east of Phoenix, it's a popular destination for affluent residents and tourists seeking outdoor recreation and upscale amenities. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 245,237, Scottsdale has a total crime rate of 2,028.7 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.

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