San Luis Named Safest City in Arizona for Second Consecutive Year

San Luis has claimed the top spot on SafeWise's list of Arizona's safest cities for the second consecutive year, posting a violent crime rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 among its population of 38,809. The city also reported zero murders, joining only Oro Valley and Queen Creek in that distinction across all 27 Arizona cities that qualified for the ranking.

The achievement carries particular weight given San Luis's geography. SafeWise noted that the city "stands out as the only border town in the top 10," a list otherwise dominated by Phoenix suburbs including Surprise, Buckeye, Gilbert, and Marana. San Luis sits at the top ahead of Surprise at number two, Oro Valley at three, and Queen Creek at four.

The city's press release credited the consistency of the effort, noting that San Luis has earned a spot on the SafeWise list every year since 2016. "To rank number one is a very important accomplishment for the community," the release stated. "It sends a reassuring message that there is a collaborative effort to keep the city safe." The city's social media pointed directly to law enforcement: "The City of San Luis was named the safest city in Arizona thanks to the hard work and dedication of the San Luis AZ Police Department."

An earlier SafeWise recognition for 2023 documented the city reporting just 31 violent crimes that year, even as crime rates rose elsewhere across the state and nation. Property crime rates fell sharply during that period, dropping from 22.3 per 1,000 residents to 14.4, giving San Luis the second-lowest property crime rate in the region. Arizona as a whole ranked third-lowest among all states for violent crime on a national scale.

The broader statewide picture from SafeWise's 2026 survey shows Arizona trending in a positive direction. Arizonans reported a large dip in violent crime experiences year over year, and both property and violent crime rates in the state fall below national averages. Buckeye and Prescott Valley recorded decreases in both crime categories, while Surprise, Queen Creek, Gilbert, and Marana each saw property crime decline.

The San Luis Police Department can be reached through city public relations contact Francia Alonso at (928) 341-8520 or publicrelations@sanluisaz.gov.