Is Amherst or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Amherst is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 93/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 466 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 85% lower. Amherst has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Amherst has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 35.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amherst — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amherst, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amherst | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 466.5 | 3,125.4 | -2,658.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 159.8 | 800.0 | -640.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 64.3 | +7.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.5 | 181.6 | -175.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.1 | 545.3 | -463.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 306.7 | 2,325.3 | -2,018.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 34.6 | 317.2 | -282.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 263.5 | 1,582.1 | -1,318.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.6 | 426.0 | -417.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amherst or Phoenix safer?
Amherst is safer with a total crime rate of 466 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amherst has a violent crime rate of 159.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Amherst has lower violent crime.
About Amherst, MA
Amherst, Massachusetts, home to Emily Dickinson's homestead, is a college town in the Pioneer Valley. It's a predominantly white community with a significant student population. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 46,304, Amherst has a total crime rate of 466.5 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.