Most Dangerous Cities in Arizona Based on 2025 Crime Data

Ever wondered which Arizona towns people warn you about after dark? Grab a coffee and let’s take a quick, straight‑talk tour of the places where crime still makes the nightly news.

We’ll break down the latest numbers, keep the language plain, and answer the big question: Which spots top the list of the most dangerous cities in Arizona? Along the way, we’ll share easy safety tips and clear facts so you can decide where caution matters most.

What City Has the Most Crime in AZ?

Tolleson takes the unwanted crown. With an overall crime rate topping 13,000 incidents per 100,000 residents—about 470 percent above the national average—locals face a 1‑in‑8 chance of becoming a victim in any given year.

Violent offenses (assault, robbery, rape, and homicide) run close to 1,550 per 100,000, while property crimes soar past 11,800 per 100,000, including more than 1,200 motor‑vehicle thefts. That brutal mix makes Tolleson the worst city in Arizona for crime right now.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in Arizona

Before we dive in, remember that crime can cluster by block or even by apartment complex. Good neighborhoods still exist in every city below. Use these snapshots as a heads‑up, not a blanket verdict on the top 10 most dangerous cities in Arizona.

1. Tolleson

Tolleson records 11.7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and an eye‑popping 8.7 thefts per 100 people each year. Car thieves strike hard—about 1.3 cars out of every 100 disappear annually. The town’s compact size (just over 7,000 people) means each incident skews the per‑capita math upward, but residents still install cameras, steering‑wheel locks, and motion lights in almost every driveway. Police data also show burglary rates topping 990 per 100,000, more than double the state mean. If you live or work here, keep valuables out of sight and use well‑lit parking only.

2. South Tucson

This tiny city inside Tucson posts 2,402 violent crimes and 11,329 thefts per 100,000 residents—off‑the‑charts figures even police dislike quoting. Assault alone hovers near 1,962 per 100,000, while burglary sits above 1,100. Locals speak of quick smash‑and‑grabs and porch thefts. The good news? Year‑over‑year numbers show slight improvement after new patrol teams and street‑light upgrades. Stay visible, walk in groups at night, and know your route before you arrive.

3. Guadalupe

Guadalupe’s violent‑crime index of 49.3 and property index of 76.6 (on a 1‑to‑100 scale) mark it as risky. Residents have about a 1‑in‑44 chance of facing violence annually. Theft remains the main headache, with burglary and larceny leading calls. Car theft occurs less often than in South Tucson, but it still doubles the national norm. Community elders push neighborhood watch walks, and deputies report a 32 percent year‑over‑year crime drop, so progress is visible but fragile.

4. Globe

Globe’s mining legacy now hides behind higher crime numbers: a violent‑crime rate of 5 per 1,000 and a property rate of 40 per 1,000. Residents face a 1‑in‑25 chance of burglary or theft each year, and a motor‑vehicle theft rate near 3 per 1,000. Police credit hard drugs and limited youth programs for the spike. On the plus side, both violent and property crimes fell more than 18 percent last year after extra patrols downtown. Lock sheds, mark tools, and swap tips with neighbors.

5. Winslow

In Winslow, you stand 1‑in‑92 odds of violent victimization and 1‑in‑31 for property crimes. Those numbers translate to roughly 10.9 violent and 32 property crimes per 1,000 people. Break‑ins tend to target unlocked cars near tourist stops, and officers note a steady stream of catalytic‑converter thefts. The city added license‑plate readers on major exits, which dropped auto thefts 17 percent last year. Visitors should park in lit lots and avoid leaving gear in plain sight.

6. Page

Page’s breathtaking canyon views share space with crime rates that surprise newcomers. Violent crime sits at 4.6 per 1,000, but property crime rockets to 52 per 1,000—almost triple the state average. Motor‑vehicle theft clocks 2.2 per 1,000, and police warn about gear stolen from rental SUVs. Tourism drives those numbers, as crooks follow visitors, not locals. Keep doors locked at scenic pull‑outs, and use hotel safes for cameras and passports.

7. Phoenix

Arizona’s capital logs 7.9 violent and 25.1 property crimes per 1,000 residents. One in 126 locals may face violence this year, while the chance of a car theft is 1 in 176. Though raw totals seem huge—54,500 reported offenses last year—remember Phoenix hosts 1.6 million people. Homicides dipped 12 percent in 2023, but theft and catalytic‑converter hits still run high. Stick to well‑lit parking, hide electronics, and opt for rideshares in sketchy blocks after dark.

8. Glendale

Glendale records 5.7 violent and 29 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Your odds: 1 in 176 for violence, 1 in 35 for property loss. Police blame a cluster of apartment‑parking‑lot thefts and retail‑area shoplifting rings. A recent task force cut burglaries by 11 percent, but porch piracy remains stubborn. Motion‑activated floodlights and front‑door cameras help here more than anywhere on this list.

9. Tucson

Greater Tucson’s crime rate is 5.9 violent and 29.4 property crimes per 1,000. Residents risk a 1‑in‑171 shot at violence and 1‑in‑34 at property loss. Car theft is high—Kia and Hyundai owners top the complaint logs, with thefts up nearly 24 percent against the five‑year average. Still, overall crime fell 26 percent year‑over‑year after a citywide camera rollout and youth outreach. Park in busy lots and use steering‑wheel locks.

10. Tempe

Tempe rounds out the top ten with 5.8 violent crimes and 37 property crimes per 1,000 residents. That equals a 1‑in‑27 chance of property loss and 1‑in‑197 for violence. Campus districts see most thefts, especially bike and laptop grabs, near coffee shops. Police now lend free bicycle registration tags and encourage students to chain their gear to solid racks, a move that has already cut bike theft by 15 percent in early 2025.

How We Determine the Most Dangerous City in Arizona?

Before we sort any town into a “dangerous” column, we zoom in on the numbers that matter most based on the following factors:

• Violent‑crime rate – Counts assaults, robberies, rapes, and murders per 1,000 residents. Bigger number, bigger safety worry.
• Property‑crime rate – Tracks burglaries, shoplifting, and car thefts. Shows daily odds of losing your stuff.
• Population size – A few crimes in a small town can look huge unless we weigh them against how many people live there.
• Per‑capita math – Dividing total crimes by population lets us rank cities on equal footing, whether they hold 7,000 or 1.7 million people.
• Year‑to‑year trend – Flags spots where crime is rising or down, even if the current rate looks average. Momentum signals what tomorrow might bring.
• Data sources (latest available) – FBI Crime in the Nation 2023, Arizona DPS 2024 monthly dashboards, and each city’s own police logs give us the raw numbers.

Crime Trends in Arizona’s Dangerous Cities – 2025 Update

Looking at 2024 reports and early 2025 checkpoints, we see bright spots—fewer assaults in big cities—and fresh trouble like a jump in stolen cars. Here are the crime trends:

• Violent crime dipping statewide – Assaults and robberies fell about 3 percent thanks to extra officers and community programs.
• Auto theft climbing – Phoenix, Tucson, and Winslow logged sharp jumps in car thefts tied to social‑media “Kia/Hyundai” hacks.
• Homicides down in big metros – Phoenix and Tucson each saw double‑digit drops in murders after camera grids and quicker 911 response.
• Small‑city gains – Tolleson and South Tucson cut violent and property crime by double digits after new streetlights and youth‑job grants.
• Burglary pullback – Glendale and Globe reported fewer break‑ins once neighborhood watch apps and license‑plate readers went live.
• Reporting gaps remain – A few departments post data late, so some 2024 numbers may still shift. We update rankings when fresh files appear.

Safety Tips for Residents and Visitors in Arizona

Staying safe in Arizona isn’t complicated—it just takes a little planning. Scan the quick tips below before you head out so you can enjoy the desert with peace of mind.

• Park smart: Use steering‑wheel locks or kill switches, especially in Phoenix, Tucson, and Tolleson.
• Light it up: Motion lights and inexpensive cameras deter porch pirates in Glendale, Tempe, and Winslow.
• Hide valuables: Never leave bags, phones, or passports in plain sight.
• Walk in pairs: In South Tucson, Globe, and Guadalupe, stay on main streets at night and keep friends close.
• Know your neighborhood: Check local police dashboards before booking short‑term rentals or moving.
• Report fast: Call 911 or use city apps to report suspicious activity; quick tips often stop repeat thefts.

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FAQs

What is the most dangerous city in Arizona?

Tolleson tops every recent list, with overall crime roughly 470 percent above the U.S. average and a violent‑crime rate near 11.7 incidents per 1,000 residents.

What is the safest city to live in Arizona?

Based on the same FBI and DPS data, Paradise Valley and Gilbert trade places for top spot each year, both posting violent‑crime rates below 1.5 per 1,000 and very low vehicle‑theft numbers. If low crime drives your move, start your search there.

What area of Phoenix has the highest crime?

Central and South Phoenix corridors along the I‑17 and I‑10 interchange record the most calls, especially around older apartment complexes. Car theft and robbery rates peak in these grids, while northern suburbs see far fewer incidents.

Conclusion

Arizona’s beauty draws millions, yet some pockets still struggle with theft, assault, and vehicle crime. Tolleson, South Tucson, and Guadalupe hold the highest per‑capita risks, while bigger cities like Phoenix and Tucson rank lower on paper yet deliver larger raw numbers.

Secure your car, light your porch, and stay aware—simple steps lower risk anywhere. Did we cover your city? Let us know in the comments, and share this rundown with anyone planning an Arizona move.