Is Abilene or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Abilene is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 35/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,188 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 30% lower. Abilene has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Abilene has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 12.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Abilene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Abilene, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Abilene | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,187.7 | 3,125.4 | -937.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 424.5 | 800.0 | -375.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 8.4 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 70.6 | 64.3 | +6.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.1 | 181.6 | -135.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 303.2 | 545.3 | -242.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,763.2 | 2,325.3 | -562.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 320.1 | 317.2 | +2.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,304.9 | 1,582.1 | -277.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.2 | 426.0 | -287.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abilene or Phoenix safer?
Abilene is safer with a total crime rate of 2,188 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Abilene has a violent crime rate of 424.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Abilene has lower violent crime.
About Abilene, TX
Abilene, a West Texas city historically known as a railroad town and home to Dyess Air Force Base, sits at the intersection of I-20 and US-83/84. Its population is approximately 125,000. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 130,275, Abilene has a total crime rate of 2,187.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.