Is Amarillo or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Amarillo (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,346 for Amarillo — 7% lower. Amarillo has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Amarillo has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 8.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amarillo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amarillo, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amarillo | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,346.2 | 3,125.4 | +220.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 690.5 | 800.0 | -109.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 8.4 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 73.9 | 64.3 | +9.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.7 | 181.6 | -94.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 521.6 | 545.3 | -23.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,655.7 | 2,325.3 | +330.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 377.8 | 317.2 | +60.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,017.4 | 1,582.1 | +435.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 260.5 | 426.0 | -165.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amarillo or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,346 for Amarillo — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amarillo has a violent crime rate of 690.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Amarillo has lower violent crime.
About Amarillo, TX
Amarillo, a Panhandle city, sits at the crossroads of I-40 and I-27. Home to the Cadillac Ranch, its economy has historically relied on cattle and oil. The population is approximately 200,000. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 203,039, Amarillo has a total crime rate of 3,346.2 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.