Is Tempe or Tucson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tempe is safer than Tucson (Safety Score 14/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,364 per 100,000 versus 3,903 for Tucson — 14% lower. Tempe has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tempe has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Tucson is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Tempe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tucson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tempe, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Tempe | Tucson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,364.1 | 3,902.8 | -538.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 470.3 | 589.7 | -119.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 6.7 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 71.6 | 47.7 | +23.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 66.4 | 108.1 | -41.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 329.7 | 426.2 | -96.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,893.8 | 3,313.1 | -419.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 334.4 | 296.8 | +37.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,257.9 | 2,500.6 | -242.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 301.5 | 515.7 | -214.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tempe or Tucson safer?
Tempe is safer with a total crime rate of 3,364 per 100K vs 3,903 for Tucson — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Tempe has a violent crime rate of 470.3 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. Tempe has lower violent crime.
About Tempe, AZ
Tempe, Arizona, home to Arizona State University's largest campus, sits in the Valley of the Sun. This vibrant city, named for the Vale of Tempe in Greece, boasts a young, educated population drawn to its urban core and outdoor recreation along Tempe Town Lake. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 191,376, Tempe has a total crime rate of 3,364.1 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.