F
60%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
123%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
48%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peoplePhoenix/100k peopleArizona/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime61,045n/a (estimate)3,7272,4892,324
Murder217n/a13.26.86.3
Rape1,105n/a67.544.140.0
Robbery3,207n/a195.870.166.1
Assault8,986n/a548.6310.5268.2
Violent crime13,515n/a (estimate)825432370
Burglary6,266n/a382.6271.0269.8
Theft33,631n/a2,053.31,542.41,401.9
Vehicle theft7,633n/a466.0244.2282.7
Property crime47,530n/a (estimate)2,9022,0581,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Phoenix, AZ

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Phoenix is 60.4% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 13515 violent crimes reported in Phoenix, equivalent to 825 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 123.1%. Additionally, Phoenix recorded 47530 property crimes, amounting to 2902 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 48.5%.

Phoenix ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 825 per 100,000 people, Phoenix is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 122 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Phoenix, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Phoenix stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Phoenix, there were a total of 217 murders, translating to 13 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Phoenix ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 7633 vehicle thefts, amounting to 466 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Phoenix within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 215.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Phoenix?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Phoenix residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 267 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 37% of Phoenix residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 63% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Phoenix a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Phoenix is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Phoenix has an overall crime rate that is 60% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 167.25 daily occurrences, comprising 37.03 violent crimes and 130.22 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Phoenix as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Phoenix Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Phoenix crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Phoenix has decreased by 5.7% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 1% and property crime has decreased by 7%.

Phoenix Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Phoenix area comprises a diverse array of over 15 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Desert View, New Village and North Gateway which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Central City, Alahambra and Encanto exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Phoenix neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Phoenix

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Phoenix crime rates. In Phoenix, the poverty rate stands at 16.2%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Phoenix, 77.2% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Phoenix, the cost of living is 3.22% lower than the national average.

Phoenix crime map



The Phoenix crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Phoenix as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Phoenix crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Phoenix crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Phoenix crime rates are 60% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Phoenix are 123% higher than the national average
  • In Phoenix you have a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Phoenix is safer than 7% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Phoenix has decreased by 2%

Phoenix, AZ Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Phoenix (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Phoenix, Arizona is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Phoenix are 1.50 times more than the Arizona average and 1.60 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Phoenix are 1.91 times more than than Arizona and 2.23 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Phoenix are 1.41 times more than than Arizona and 1.48 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Phoenix (higher is better)

        How safe is Phoenix, Arizona compared to other cities in Arizona and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Phoenix is safer than 6% of the cities in Arizona and 7% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Arizona and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Phoenix. Overall, Phoenix is ranked above average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Phoenix

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Phoenix is 1 in 122
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Phoenix is 1 in 35
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Phoenix is 1 in 27
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Phoenix, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 122. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 35 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Phoenix is 1 in 27.

        Year Over Year Crime In Phoenix (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Phoenix, AZ is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Phoenix has increased by 3%, while the property crime rate in Phoenix has decreased by 3% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Phoenix has decreased by 2% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Phoenix police department

        Item Phoenix Arizona National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)3,98612,274558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.73.13.3
        There are a total of 3,986 Phoenix police officers. This results in 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 13.5% less than the Arizona average and 17.5% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Arizona

        State Total offenders Arizona /100K National /100K
        Arizona8,206157266
        There are a total of 8,206 sex offenders in Arizona. This yields a total of 157 sex offenders in Arizona per 100,000 residents which is 41% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Scottsdale, AZ254,9952331,1111,345
        Paradise Valley, AZ14,502951,4291,524
        Peoria, AZ172,1091951,3821,577
        El Mirage, AZ35,7023301,4181,748
        Chandler, AZ257,0761821,8081,990
        Mesa, AZ508,9184271,7702,197
        Tolleson, AZ7,3404422,1062,548
        Phoenix, AZ1,658,4228252,9023,727

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Philadelphia, PA1,581,5311,0414,3215,363
        San Antonio, TX1,529,1338835,0695,951
        San Diego, CA1,414,5454311,8182,248
        Dallas, TX1,338,8467783,8134,591
        San Jose, CA1,029,4095272,6513,178
        Phoenix, AZ1,658,4228252,9023,727
        Source: The Phoenix, AZ crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.