Phoenix Crime Rate and Safest Neighborhoods

In many ways, the city of Phoenix is hot, hot, hot. But does that include the Phoenix crime rate? Let’s take a look at crime statistics, safe and less-safe Phoenix neighborhoods, and how you can protect yourself, no matter where you settle.

Is Phoenix Safe?

Let’s start at the very beginning. Is Phoenix Arizona safe compared to other cities in the United States?

The easiest way to evaluate safety is by looking at index crime rates. It’s not a perfect system—crime is a complex problem, and this data is just a snapshot. How a crime gets reported (and whether the victim reports the crime at all) varies wildly).

Still, we have to start somewhere.

Phoenix Crime Rate

Fortunately, the city makes Phoenix crime statistics readily available. According to the Phoenix Police Department, the city reported about 54,000 index crimes in 2023. That means the Phoenix crime rate is approximately 32.7 crimes per 1,000 residents.

To put that in perspective, the Arizona state average is 24.9 per 1,000. The national average is 23 per 1,000. Phoenix isn’t exactly low-crime, but it could be a lot worse, especially considering how large of a city it is.

The type of crime matters, though. The violent crime rate in Phoenix is about 7.8 per 1,000—nearly double the national and state averages. This category includes the most concerning crimes, like murder and assault.

So, is Phoenix safe? It might depend on who you ask.

Feeling Safe in Phoenix

Safety isn’t just about crime. It’s also a feeling. To know if you’ll feel safe living, working, and playing in Phoenix, talk to the locals.

AreaVibes polls residents about their perceptions of crime and safety in Phoenix. More than 60% of respondents rated the level of crime as “poor” or “awful” in the city. Similarly, 65% said they felt “not very safe” or “not safe at all” walking alone at night.

Respondents on Niche.com polls were more positive. When asked how safe they felt in the area, the majority (58%) said they felt “pretty safe”—not glowing praise, but not bleak. Residents also reported that police were a visible presence if not always the most responsive.

Translation: the Phoenix crime rate is high, especially the violent crime rate, but the police may be making a difference. And where you are within the city definitely makes a difference. Let’s explore the best places to live in Phoenix from a safety perspective.

The Safest Phoenix Neighborhoods

When we say “safe” in this context, we mean areas with relatively low crime. NeighborhoodScout lists these as the 10 safest Phoenix neighborhoods by crime rate.

1. Anthem East
2. Anthem Traditions / Anthem
3. Anthem Country Club
4. Anthem Southwest
5. Anthem Pointe
6. Komatke / Gila Crossing
7. Carriage Trails / Vista Norte
8. Colina Del Norte / Desert Foothills North
9. Sonoran Foothills
10. Foothills Golf Club

Unsurprisingly, these neighborhoods are on the outskirts of town. For peaceful living, look to Phoenix’s north and south edges.

The Most Dangerous Phoenix Neighborhoods

On the flip side, it’s also useful to know where you’ll find areas with more frequent crime. These Phoenix neighborhoods still have a lot to offer, but be sure to take precautions to stay safe.

For this list, we’re most concerned about violent crime (like murder). According to AreaVibes, these 10 Phoenix neighborhoods have the highest violent crime rates.

1. Central City (27.0 violent crimes per 1,000 residents)
2. Alahambra (15.6 per 1,000)
3. Encanto (13.1 per 1,000)
4. South Mountain (9.7 per 1,000)
5. North Mountain (9.6 per 1,000)
6. Maryvale (9.2 per 1,000)
7. Estrella (8.8 per 1,000)
8. Camelback East (8.3 per 1,000)
9. Laveen (7.3 per 1,000)
10. Deer Valley (5.2 per 1,000)

You may notice that some entries actually have lower violent crime rates than the city average. That’s because the most dangerous neighborhoods skew the city data so much. Needless to say, if you find yourself in one of these areas, exercise due caution.

Phoenix Crime Map

Lists are great, but visuals are even better. Where are the safest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Phoenix on a map?

Like most major cities, Phoenix experiences the most crime near its central downtown area. The further you are from downtown, particularly on the north-south meridian, the more the crime rate drops.

The city also regularly updates and posts Phoenix crime maps broken down by property and violent crime.

The Best Places to Live in Phoenix: Other Factors

Safety may not be the only thing on your mind. If you’re relocating, you need to know about some other factors that can help you choose the best Phoenix neighborhood (or suburb) for your needs.

Top-rated public schools (from Niche):

• North Gateway
• Desert View
• Paradise Valley Village
• Ahwatukee Foothills
• Deer Valley
• Suburbs like Sun Lakes, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Peoria

Highest real estate appreciation (from NeighborhoodScout):

• W Monte Vista Rd / N 71st Ave
• Vinsanto
• West Virginia Ave / N 71st Ave
• Thomas Square / Young America Homes
• Casa de Primavera / Legend Estates

Lowest cost of living (from Niche):

• Maryvale
• Estrella
• South Mountain
• Alhambra
• North Mountain
• Suburbs like Coolidge, Guadalupe, Apache Junction, Casa Grande, and Florence

Most walkable (from Walk Score):

• Downtown
• Garfield
• Eastlake Park
• Coronado
• Valencia Acres
• They’re less walkable, but Story and Bel Air got great scores for biking!

Best for singles (from AreaVibes):

• Camelback East
• Paradise Valley
• Deer Valley
• South Mountain
• Maryvale