Is Ashland or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 82/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 774 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 75% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 88.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 774.1 | 3,125.4 | -2,351.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.4 | 800.0 | -704.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 10.6 | 64.3 | -53.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 181.6 | -176.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 545.3 | -465.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 678.7 | 2,325.3 | -1,646.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 270.4 | 317.2 | -46.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 233.3 | 1,582.1 | -1,348.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 175.0 | 426.0 | -251.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Phoenix safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 774 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 95.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, MA
Ashland, MA, once home to a section of the Boston Marathon, is a small town in Middlesex County. With a population of around 18,000, it features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 18,861, Ashland has a total crime rate of 774.1 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.