Is Alton or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Alton (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,640 for Alton — 14% lower. Alton has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Alton has a 36% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 67.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Alton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alton, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alton | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,639.8 | 3,125.4 | +514.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 971.4 | 800.0 | +171.4 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 8.4 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 137.1 | 64.3 | +72.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.9 | 181.6 | -64.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.3 | 545.3 | +152.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,668.4 | 2,325.3 | +343.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 943.2 | 317.2 | +626.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,487.4 | 1,582.1 | -94.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 237.8 | 426.0 | -188.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alton or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,640 for Alton — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alton has a violent crime rate of 971.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Alton, IL
Alton, Illinois, a river town on the Mississippi, is known for its limestone bluffs and as the site of the final Lincoln-Douglas debate. Located just north of St. Louis, it has a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 24,809, Alton has a total crime rate of 3,639.8 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.