Is Altoona or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Altoona is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 31% lower. Altoona has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Altoona has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 74.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Altoona — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Altoona, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Altoona | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,154.1 | 3,125.4 | -971.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 142.7 | 800.0 | -657.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 64.3 | -55.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 181.6 | -168.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.4 | 545.3 | -424.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,011.4 | 2,325.3 | -313.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 116.0 | 317.2 | -201.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,775.0 | 1,582.1 | +192.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.4 | 426.0 | -305.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altoona or Phoenix safer?
Altoona is safer with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Altoona has a violent crime rate of 142.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Altoona has lower violent crime.
About Altoona, IA
Altoona, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Adventureland Park. This growing city in Polk County has a population of over 20,000. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 22,422, Altoona has a total crime rate of 2,154.1 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.