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Tucson vs Scottsdale: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Tucson has a crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 residents vs Scottsdale's 20.2 per 1,000, making Scottsdale 7% safer overall. Scottsdale earns a B- safety grade compared to Tucson's B-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

Tucson

Arizona

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

Scottsdale

Arizona

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate20.2/1K
Percentile57%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricTucsonScottsdale
Overall Crime Rate21.8/1K20.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate389.5120.0
Property Crime Rate1787.41900.0
Murder Rate4.71.8
Assault Rate252.499.5
Robbery Rate80.517.2
Burglary Rate311.0326.4
Theft Rate1496.81416.3
Vehicle Theft Rate404.3374.3

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, Tucson is safer in 2 and Scottsdale is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Tucson, you have a 1 in 46 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 50 in Scottsdale.

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: Tucson vs Scottsdale

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

Scottsdale Climate Overview

Annual High86.7°F
Annual Low61.5°F
Annual Rain7.8"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJuly
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Monthly Temperature Comparison

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

Scottsdale is 5°F warmer in summer than Tucson, but Tucson is 4°F colder in winter than Scottsdale. Scottsdale has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tucson safer than Scottsdale?
As of 2026, Scottsdale is 7% safer overall, with a crime rate of 20.2 per 1,000 residents compared to Tucson's 21.8. Scottsdale earns a B- safety grade vs Tucson's B-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Tucson or Scottsdale?
Tucson has more violent crime at 390 per 100,000 residents. Scottsdale is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Tucson vs Scottsdale?
Tucson has a crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 (violent: 390/100K, property: 1787/100K). Scottsdale has 20.2 per 1,000 (violent: 120/100K, property: 1900/100K).
Should I move to Tucson or Scottsdale?
From a safety perspective, Scottsdale has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Tucson (pop. 548,371) and Scottsdale (pop. 243,006) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Scottsdale's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Tucson and Scottsdale compare for property crime?
Tucson has lower property crime at 1787 per 100K vs Scottsdale's 1900. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Tucson vs PhoenixTucson vs MesaTucson vs GilbertScottsdale vs IrvineScottsdale vs Mesa

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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