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Phoenix vs Tucson: 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 Tucson's 21.8 per 1,000, making Tucson 42% safer overall. Tucson earns a B- safety grade compared to Phoenix's D. 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%
B-

Tucson

Arizona

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.8/1K
Percentile53%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricPhoenixTucson
Overall Crime Rate37.5/1K21.8/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0389.5
Property Crime Rate3200.01787.4
Murder Rate8.04.7
Assault Rate436.3252.4
Robbery Rate120.280.5
Burglary Rate411.7311.0
Theft Rate2759.41496.8
Vehicle Theft Rate680.5404.3

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 0 and Tucson is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Phoenix, you have a 1 in 27 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Tucson.

Full Safety Reports

D
Phoenix, Arizona Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Tucson, Arizona Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Phoenix vs Tucson

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

Tucson Climate Overview

Annual High83.4°F
Annual Low55.3°F
Annual Rain11.2"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Monthly Temperature Comparison

PhoenixTucsonHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Phoenix is 5°F warmer in summer than Tucson, but Tucson is 5°F colder in winter than Phoenix. Phoenix has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix safer than Tucson?
As of 2026, Tucson is 42% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 residents compared to Phoenix's 37.5. Tucson earns a B- safety grade vs Phoenix's D. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Phoenix or Tucson?
Phoenix has more violent crime at 550 per 100,000 residents. Tucson is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Phoenix vs Tucson?
Phoenix has a crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3200/100K). Tucson has 21.8 per 1,000 (violent: 390/100K, property: 1787/100K).
Should I move to Phoenix or Tucson?
From a safety perspective, Tucson has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Phoenix (pop. 1,665,481) and Tucson (pop. 548,371) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Tucson's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Phoenix and Tucson compare for property crime?
Tucson has lower property crime at 1787 per 100K vs Phoenix's 3200. 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 DenverTucson vs MesaTucson vs GilbertTucson vs Chandler

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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