Payson, AZ Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Payson Safe?
Yes — Payson is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Payson has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 424.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 424
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 72
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
24% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Payson Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Payson Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Payson Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Payson zip codes.
Payson Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Payson, AZ?
Payson, AZ has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 424 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 72 chance for property crime. Payson has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Payson, AZ safe to live in?
Payson is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Payson is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Payson?
The estimated violent crime rate in Payson is 235.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 424 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (42% below average); aggravated assault at 172.3 per 100K (36% below average); robbery at 40.4 per 100K (45% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Payson?
The estimated property crime rate in Payson is 1,392.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 24% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 72 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 178.7 per 100K (34% below average); larceny/theft at 999.7 per 100K (29% below average); vehicle theft at 214.4 per 100K (33% below average).
How does Payson crime compare to the national average?
Payson's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (29% below average), while robbery is 45% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Payson has lower crime than 84% of them.
Is Payson safe to visit?
Payson is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 24% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Payson crime compare to the rest of Arizona?
Arizona as a whole has crime that is 17% above the national average. Payson's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Arizona city.
What type of crime is most common in Payson?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Payson, with an estimated rate of 999.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 29% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,393 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (236 per 100K) in Payson, which is consistent with national trends.