F
112%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
58%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
122%
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 peopleTempe/100k peopleArizona/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime9,221n/a (estimate)4,9192,4892,324
Murder7n/a3.76.86.3
Rape156n/a83.244.140.0
Robbery178n/a94.970.166.1
Assault754n/a402.2310.5268.2
Violent crime1,095n/a (estimate)584432370
Burglary929n/a495.5271.0269.8
Theft6,405n/a3,416.51,542.41,401.9
Vehicle theft792n/a422.5244.2282.7
Property crime8,126n/a (estimate)4,3342,0581,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Tempe, AZ

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Tempe crime rate is higher than the national average by 111.6%. Specifically, there were 1095 violent crimes in Tempe, equivalent to 584 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 58%. Furthermore, Tempe recorded 8126 property crimes, amounting to 4334 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 121.8%.

With a total of 4919 crimes per 100,000 people, the Tempe crime rates stand at 111.62 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Tempe, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.

Tempe has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4334 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Tempe is 1 in 24, which is far higher than the national average.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Tempe ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 792 vehicle thefts, amounting to 422 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Tempe 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 237.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Tempe?

What do the local residents think about crime in Tempe? Well, based on a recent survey of 108 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 49% of Tempe residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 51% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Tempe a Safe Place to Live?

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 112% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 25.26 daily crimes (3 violent daily crimes and 22.26 daily property crimes) in Tempe.

Has Crime in Tempe Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Tempe has increased by 12.1%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Tempe, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 0.5%, while property crime has increased by 14.1%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Tempe is a safe place to live.

Tempe Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 58 different neighborhoods in the Tempe area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Tempe include Alta Mira, Camelot Village and Tally Ho Farms North. While Alegre Community, Escalante and Mitchell Park West have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Tempe

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Tempe, the cost of living is 2.2% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Tempe, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.84 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Tempe stands at $287,600, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Tempe crime map



The Tempe crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Tempe 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 Tempe crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Tempe 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

  • Tempe crime rates are 112% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Tempe are 58% higher than the national average
  • In Tempe you have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Tempe is safer than 9% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Tempe has increased by 20%

Tempe, AZ Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Tempe (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Tempe, AZ per 100,000 people. In Tempe, the total number of daily crimes is 1.98 times more than the Arizona average and 2.12 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Tempe is 1.35 times more than the Arizona average and 1.58 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Tempe has a daily crime rate that is 2.11 times more than the Arizona average and 2.22 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Tempe (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Tempe to every other city in Arizona, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Tempe safe? The gauges above illustrate that Tempe is safer than 11% of every city located within Arizona along with 9% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Arizona and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Tempe, AZ is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Tempe

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Tempe is 1 in 172
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Tempe is 1 in 24
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Tempe is 1 in 21
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Tempe, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 172. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 24 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 Tempe is 1 in 21.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Tempe is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Tempe has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 6% in Tempe, while property crimes in Tempe have increased by 22%. Total crime has increased by 20% year over year.

        Tempe police department

        Item Tempe Arizona National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)47212,274558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.83.13.3
        There are a total of 472 Tempe police officers. This results in 2.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 8.3% less than the Arizona average and 12.6% 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
        Fountain Hills, AZ25,1671818641,046
        Gilbert, AZ248,3491171,0171,133
        Scottsdale, AZ254,9952331,1111,345
        Maricopa Colony, AZ8182351,1191,353
        Sun Lakes, AZ14,8872441,1601,404
        Paradise Valley, AZ14,502951,4291,524
        Chandler, AZ257,0761821,8081,990
        Tempe, AZ191,6075844,3344,919

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        McKinney, TX191,1971141,0381,152
        Tallahassee, FL192,8853552,1492,504
        Paradise, NV193,1506753,5364,211
        Mobile, AL189,9949273,0133,940
        Shreveport, LA189,8908113,7904,601
        Tempe, AZ191,6075844,3344,919
        Source: The Tempe, 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.