Arizona is a beautiful state with pink-hued sunsets and gorgeous national parks.
This outdoor enthusiast’s playground is known for blistering desert heat, endless golf courses, the Sonoran Desert, and the Grand Canyon.
And as the 14th most populated state, home to roughly 7.4 million residents, it also has its share of crime.
As a state, the violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
Arizona, while beautiful, is ranked as the tenth most dangerous state according to the most recently reported data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with 484.8 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
It also ranks 15th highest in property crimes.
That translates to Arizona visitors and residents having a 1 in 204 chance of being the victim of a violent crime and 1 in 41 of a property crime.
Aggravated assaults and vehicle thefts were the most common.
It should be noted that with a mix of large cities, small towns, and vast rural areas, crime in this desert state is not evenly distributed.
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Most Dangerous Cities in Arizona
1. Tolleson
Tolleson ranks as Arizona’s most dangerous city.
It is located west of Phoenix in Maricopa County.
Home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, TinyFest, and the Arizona Jazz Festival, Tolleson is a small town of roughly 7,200 residents.
Surprisingly, the crime rate in this freeway-adjacent town is a staggering 13,374 per 100,000 – 470% higher than the national average.
Areas south of downtown and southwest of the city are the most dangerous.
In contrast, the northeast is considered the safest.
In fact, a crime occurs every 8 hours in Tolleson.
This exposes residents to a 1 in 8 chance of becoming victims of any crime.
2. Globe
Historic Globe is located in Gila county, east of Phoenix, and immediately adjacent to the San Carlos Reservation.
Once a thriving small frontier town, a dwindling mining-centric economy has fueled the crime rate to 9200 per 100,000 — 254% higher than the national average.
The 7,249 Globe residents now have a 1 in 9 chance of becoming the victim of crime.
Globe and Tolleson frequently vie for the dubious title of most dangerous city in Arizona.
But the small town has its perks.
The elongated city is an illustrative example of a western United States mining town.
And Native American sites and museums like Besh-Ba-Gowah, and Pinal Peak are worth the detour.
3. Page
Page, located in northern Arizona near the Utah border, has a population of 7,547.
A beautiful city bordering the Colorado river, Page is a gateway to national parks and a popular spot for white water rafting, hiking, and climbing.
It is also home to the Hanging Gardens.
Inexplicably, Page’s crime rate tops the national average by over 106% at 4,824 per 100,000.
In 2021, 52 violent and 224 property crimes were reported, according to FBI data.
Residents and visitors have a 1 in 60 chance of encountering crime, mostly in residential neighborhoods.
Safety in Page includes knowing your surroundings and keeping track of your belongings.
A locked door is a strong deterrent, whether a car or a hotel room.
On a particularly worrying note, Page has the state’s highest reported incidences of rape.
4. Winslow
Winslow is a popular tourist destination on Route 66.
Located southeast of Flagstaff, it is the 4th most dangerous city in the Xopper state.
In this old frontier town of 9,655, there were roughly 486 incidents of crime reported per 1000 people: 145 violent and 395 property (FBI, 2022).
In fact, Winslow’s overall crime rate is 107% higher than the United States average.
And residents have a 1 in 21 chance of being crime victims.
5. Holbrook
Holbrook is part of the iconic Route 66 (I-40) near the Petrified National Forrest in Navajo county.
Famous as the partial inspiration for the Disney animated film, Cars (2006), this highway-centric town has a population of roughly 4,800.
Unfortunately, Arizona’s quaint tourist destination has the state’s second-highest burglary rate.
Holbrook’s crime rate is 7,120 per 100,000 people -204% higher than the U.S. average.
In 2021, 61 violent and 313 property crimes were reported.
Holbrookites have a 1 in 15 chance of encountering criminal activity.
But with vigilance and pre-planning, visitors can still enjoy Holbrook’s many small museums and colorful cafes.
6. Phoenix
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, located near the state’s center.
And, while the numbers are high, the city is, overall, relatively safe, with a population of just under 2 million.
Phoenix’s crime rate, 61% higher than the national average, hovers near 3,800 per 100,000.
In 2022, 13,800 violent crimes and 55,850 property crimes were reported.
Phoenix will keep most visitors busy with museums, parks, and a thriving food scene.
But unfortunately, this artistic and trendy city has had problems with gang violence for years.
And those in the city have a 1 in 30 chance of being victimized.
7. Tempe
Tempe, located in Maricopa County and part of the Phoenix metroplex, is a trendy city with countless coffee shops and nighttime venues.
It is also plagued with gang activity, which fuels a singularly high crime rate.
Tempe’s population hovers near 180,587, but its crime rate is a staggering 73% higher than the U.S. average.
In 2022 the city saw 1,152 violent crimes led by murders and robberies and 7,672 property crimes consisting of car thefts and burglaries.
8. Tucson
Tucson, home to the University of Arizona, is a quirky, artistic town with a collegiate vibe and a happening downtown.
Unfortunately, its 527,586 residents are forced to deal with a crime rate 69% above the national average.
According to FBI data, combined crimes were reported at 4,310 per 100,000 residents.
This translates as a 1 in 24 chance of encountering criminal activity.
Common crimes were car theft and burglary.
Luckily, crime rates are trending downward, allowing residents and visitors to wander the art walks or play at the largest indoor obstacle park in the country.
9. Show Low
Show Low, located in eastern Arizona, is one of the fabled frontier gambling towns.
With a well-deserved reputation, the unruly city was named after a poker game.
It is also the hometown of actor George Takei.
True to its violent history, the current FBI crime data showed 2715 reported property crimes per 100,000 and 650 violent crimes per 100,000.
The 11,527 residents racked up 75 violent crimes, including ten sexual assaults.
This landed it at number three on the state’s most violent crimes list.
10. Kingman
Kingman, part of Mohave County, sits on Route 66 at the Nevada-Arizona border.
The 32,700 residents of this western desert town have been hard at work as the crime rates in Kingman are trending downwards.
However, residents still have a 1 in 22 chance of falling victim to a crime.
This is calculated from a crime rate of 3,923 per 100,000, including 134 violent and 1,249 property crimes -67% above the United States rate.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Arizona
- Lock your vehicle, doors, and hotel rooms. Out of your element, it is easy to forget, but thieves look for opportunities like unlocked cars or hotel doors left ajar.
- Be location aware. It will help you stay vigilant and safe.
- Plan your transportation and destination. Know the area and the risk.
- Avoid public transportation or unknown cars-for-hire, especially alone and at night.
- Stay with the group. Even if you are traveling solo, staying with groups or in lighted areas is an excellent way to play it safe.
Arizona Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Arizona Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Arizona famous?
Arizona is most famous for its beautiful Sonoran desert, Native American lands, and national parks.
The Colorado River runs through the state and is responsible for carving its most iconic feature, The Grand Canyon.
It is also a frontier and mining state home to significant silver, copper, and other mineral deposits.
Is Arizona safe for women and solo travelers?
Generally, Arizona is safe for women and solo travelers.
Most cities have reliable transportation, and even small towns have recognizable hotel chains.
However, each area and city has its dangers, whether being caught in the desert alone or on the wrong side of the city at night.
Precautions are always recommended when traveling alone or in groups.
Is Arizona dangerous?
The state of Arizona is ranked tenth in the country for violent crime.
However, numbers and statistics can be somewhat deceiving.
The best way to travel safely is to plan a trip wisely and take precautions.
Take time to protect property by locking doors and hiding money and valuables.
Arizona may be a beautiful state, but it is also ranked as the tenth most dangerous state with high rates of violent and property crimes.