Is Appleton or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Appleton is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 55/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 50% lower. Appleton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Appleton has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 22.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Appleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Appleton, WI
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Appleton | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,548.5 | 3,125.4 | -1,576.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 201.6 | 800.0 | -598.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 8.4 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 52.4 | 64.3 | -11.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 181.6 | -172.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 137.1 | 545.3 | -408.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,346.9 | 2,325.3 | -978.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 153.2 | 317.2 | -163.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,130.5 | 1,582.1 | -451.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.2 | 426.0 | -362.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Appleton or Phoenix safer?
Appleton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Appleton has a violent crime rate of 201.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Appleton has lower violent crime.
About Appleton, WI
Appleton, a Fox Cities community along the Fox River in Northeast Wisconsin, is known for being Harry Houdini's childhood home. This city of over 75,000 residents is a regional hub for healthcare and paper manufacturing. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 74,394, Appleton has a total crime rate of 1,548.5 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.