| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Tempe/100k people | Arizona/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 6,438 | n/a (estimate) | 3,364 | 2,214 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 2.6 | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 137 | n/a | 71.6 | 40.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 127 | n/a | 66.4 | 64.6 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 631 | n/a | 329.7 | 312.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 900 | n/a (estimate) | 470 | 422 | 359 |
| Burglary | 640 | n/a | 334.4 | 217.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 4,321 | n/a | 2,257.9 | 1,329.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 577 | n/a | 301.5 | 244.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 5,538 | n/a (estimate) | 2,894 | 1,792 | 1,760 |
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 Tempe is 58.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 900 violent crimes reported in Tempe, equivalent to 470 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 31%. Additionally, Tempe recorded 5538 property crimes, amounting to 2894 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 64.4%.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Tempe. Based on the results of the surveys (117 responses), 50% of people felt that there was very little crime in Tempe and felt safe walking alone at night. While 50% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Tempe is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Tempe has a total crime rate that is 59% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 17.64 daily crimes (2.47 violent daily crimes and 15.17 daily property crimes) in Tempe.
Year-over-year crime rates in Tempe has decreased by 21.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Tempe is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 18.2%, while property crime has decreased by 22.3%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Tempe.
Tempe is a large urban city with at least 49 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Tempe include: Shalimar, Camelot Village and Tally Ho Farms North. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Superstition, Holdeman and Ntna-Indian Bend.
Tempe has a poverty rate that stands at 18.5, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Tempe crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.
In Tempe, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.84 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Tempe, the average rental rates are $1,821 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Tempe | Arizona | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 472 | 12,274 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.8 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Arizona /100K | National /100K |
| Arizona | 8,206 | 157 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sun Lakes, AZ | 15,319 | 161 | 683 | 843 |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 25,686 | 182 | 774 | 956 |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 14,999 | 80 | 989 | 1,069 |
| Gilbert, AZ | 255,869 | 132 | 968 | 1,100 |
| Chandler, AZ | 266,863 | 133 | 1,504 | 1,638 |
| Mesa, AZ | 521,218 | 483 | 1,465 | 1,947 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 261,070 | 153 | 1,875 | 2,028 |
| Tempe, AZ | 197,595 | 470 | 2,894 | 3,364 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Mobile, AL | 197,324 | 752 | 1,674 | 2,426 |
| Overland Park, KS | 197,888 | 184 | 1,762 | 1,946 |
| Shreveport, LA | 197,125 | 1,229 | 3,990 | 5,219 |
| Grand Prairie, TX | 198,327 | 221 | 1,601 | 1,822 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 198,879 | 303 | 1,610 | 1,913 |
| Tempe, AZ | 197,595 | 470 | 2,894 | 3,364 |
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