12 Safest Cities in Arizona
- Florence
- Somerton
- Prescott Valley
- Sahuarita
- San Luis
- Gilbert
- Queen Creek
- Oro Valley
- Maricopa
- Douglas
- Paradise Valley
- Lake Havasu City
1. Florence
The safest city in Arizona is Florence. It has a population of 26,785 and a crime rate of 355 per 100,000 people, making the city 87% lower than the state average. In 2021, Florence had zero murders, one robbery, and twenty-four assaults. This makes the chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime 1 in 1,071 (with the average in Arizona being 1 in 204). The average home price in Florence is just $112,100, which is 39% lower than the national average and 39% lower than the state average.
2. Somerton
Somerton is another one of the safest places to live in Arizona. Located in Yuma County, Somerton has a population of 14,866 and a crime rate of 874 per 100,000 people. This means that the crime rate in Somerton is 68% below the Arizona average, with residents having a 1 in 115 chance of becoming a victim of any type of crime. Residents have a 1 In 406 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime; in 2021, there was one murder, three robberies, and twenty-nine assaults.
3. Prescott Valley
Prescott Valley is located in Yavapai County and has a population of 46,785 residents. Prescott Valley is 65% safer than the Arizona average and has a crime rate of 957 incidents per 100,000 people. In 2021, there were zero murders, ten robberies, and fifty assaults which makes the chance of becoming the victim of violent crime 1 in 578. The cost of living in Prescott Valley remains affordable, with $176,400 being the median home price, which is 4 percent below the US average.
4. Sahuarita
Sahuarita is located in Pima County near the US-Mexico border and has a population of 34,134. The city’s crime rate is 964 incidents per 100,000 people, making the city 64% safer than the Arizona average. In 2021 there was one murder, four robberies, and twenty-eight assaults. This makes the chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime 1 in 948. Sahuarita is a moderately expensive city with a cost of living that is 6% higher than the US average and 5% higher than the Arizona average.
5. San Luis
San Luis is anotherone of the safest towns in Arizona. It's also one of the cheapest places to live in Arizona. San Luis has 35,000 residents and sits directly on the US-Mexico border in Yuma County. The crime rate in San Luis is 978 incidents per 100,000 people making the crime rate 63% lower than the Arizona average. In 2021, San Luis reported zero murders, two robberies, and twenty-one assaults, making the chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime 1 in 1,410. The median home price in the city is $112,100, which is 39 percent lower than the national average.
6. Gilbert
Gilbert is another one of the safest places in Arizona. Gilbert is located in Maricopa County and has a population of 267,918. From 1980 to 2022, Gilbert experienced massive population growth from 5,700 people to its current population. Gilbert is exceptionally safe and has a crime rate 56% lower than the Arizona average. As a result, Gilbert consistently ranks as both one of the best places to live in the United States and one of the safest towns in the country. Gilbert also has a high proportion of educated individuals, with a large portion of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
7. Queen Creek
Queen Creek also ranks among the safest cities in Arizona. The Phoenix suburb is located in the far east corner of the Maricopa and Pineal Counties metro area. It’s also home to just under 60,000 residents and features a median home price of $595,500. Queen Creek is a very safe area, and the total crime rate is 1,138 incidents per 100,000 residents, making it 51% safer than the average US city. The property crime rate is also 49% lower, and the violent crime rate is 61% lower. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Queen Creek are 1 in 88.
8. Oro Valley
Oro Valley is also one of the safest towns in Arizona. Oro Valley is located just north of Tucson and has a population of 47,070. The city is situated in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina mountains overlooking the town and the nearby Tortolita Mountains. The crime rate in Oro Valley is 1,257 crimes per 100,000 people, making the city 54% safer than the state average. The chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime is only 1 in 1,774, and there were no more than a few dozen violent crimes reported in 2023.
However, the cost of living is somewhat high, as Oro Valley is one of the most expensive and richest cities in Arizona, with housing prices being 59% higher than the national average.
9. Maricopa
Maricopa is located in Gila River Valley and has a population of 62,720 people. The crime rate in Maricopa is 1,283 incidents per 100,000 people making the city 53% safer than the state average. In 2023, there were two murders, seven robberies, and 127 assaults. Residents have a 1 in 445 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime. Maricopa is an affordable community with an average home price of $155,500, which is 16% lower than the US average.
10. Douglas
Douglas is another one of the safest cities in Arizona. Nestled in the Sulphur Springs Valley, Douglas is situated in the southeastern corner of Arizona, right up against the Mexico border. It’s a peaceful small town known for its historic monuments and authentic Mexican food that features a median home price of $196,000. It’s a very safe community with a total crime rate of 1,379 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 69% lower, while the property crime rate is 35% lower. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Doulas are 1 in 73.
11. Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is also one of the safest places to live in Arizona. This suburb of Phoenix has a population of 13,300 people and is known for its safe, family-friendly vibe. The city’s crime rate is 1,555 incidents per 100,000 people making the city 43% safer than the state average. Residents have a 1 in 844 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime. In 2023, there were zero murders, two robberies, and eleven assaults.
Although Paradise Valley is extremely safe, it's also the the most expensive place to live in Arizona, with a median home value of $1,332,600. The median household income in Paradise Valley is $173,487, which is 214% higher than the national average.
Many celebrities live in this Paradise Valley, including Michael Phelps and Larry Fitgerald. If you're about other A-listers living in the state, check out our article on celebrities that live in Arizona.
12. Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu City is located in Mohave County and has a population of 57,144. Lake Havasu is known for its “London Bridge,” which crosses the Colorado River and has made it a famous filming location for movies. The crime rate in Lake Havasu is 1,591 incidents per 100,000 people, making the city 41% safer than the Arizona average. The chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime is 1 in 442, with 2 murders, 5 robberies, and 89 assaults recorded in 2023.
Safest Cities in Arizona Bottom Line
These ten cities are the safest places to live in Arizona based on crime rates per capita. We looked at available data from local, state, and federal sources, including the FBI’s violent crime report. These cities offer a safe place to live, great amenities, high quality of life, and many are affordable! If you’re already considering relocating to Arizona, one of these towns may be a great fit for you and your family.