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Phoenix vs Denver: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Phoenix has a crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 residents vs Denver's 43.5 per 1,000, making Phoenix 14% safer overall. Phoenix earns a D safety grade compared to Denver's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D

Phoenix

Arizona

Overall GradeD
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeD
Crime Rate37.5/1K
Percentile17%
F

Denver

Colorado

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate43.5/1K
Percentile9%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricPhoenixDenver
Overall Crime Rate37.5/1K43.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0550.0
Property Crime Rate3200.03800.0
Murder Rate8.08.6
Assault Rate436.3429.0
Robbery Rate120.299.8
Burglary Rate411.7593.2
Theft Rate2759.43293.7
Vehicle Theft Rate680.5888.1

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Phoenix is safer in 6 and Denver is safer in 2, with 1 tied.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Phoenix, you have a 1 in 27 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 23 in Denver.

Full Safety Reports

D
Phoenix, Arizona Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Denver, Colorado Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Phoenix vs Denver

Phoenix Climate Overview

Annual High86.8°F
Annual Low62.4°F
Annual Rain7.3"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJuly
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Denver Climate Overview

Annual High65.3°F
Annual Low36.1°F
Annual Rain15.5"
Annual Snow43.0"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

PhoenixDenverHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Phoenix is 16°F warmer in summer than Denver, but Denver is 27°F colder in winter than Phoenix. Denver gets 43 inches of snow annually, while Phoenix rarely sees any. Denver is wetter with 16" of annual rain compared to 7". Phoenix has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix safer than Denver?
As of 2026, Phoenix is 14% safer overall, with a crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Denver's 43.5. Phoenix earns a D safety grade vs Denver's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Phoenix or Denver?
Denver has more violent crime at 550 per 100,000 residents. Phoenix is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Phoenix vs Denver?
Phoenix has a crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3200/100K). Denver has 43.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3800/100K).
Should I move to Phoenix or Denver?
From a safety perspective, Phoenix has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Phoenix (pop. 1,665,481) and Denver (pop. 740,613) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Phoenix's D safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Phoenix and Denver compare for property crime?
Phoenix has lower property crime at 3200 per 100K vs Denver's 3800. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Phoenix vs Los AngelesPhoenix vs Las VegasPhoenix vs TucsonDenver vs AustinDenver vs PortlandDenver vs Seattle

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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