Is Athens or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Athens is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 33/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,313 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 26% lower. Athens has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Athens has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 50.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Athens — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Athens, AL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Athens | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,312.7 | 3,125.4 | -812.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.4 | 800.0 | -556.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 8.4 | -2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 9.1 | 64.3 | -55.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.3 | 181.6 | -163.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.0 | 545.3 | -335.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,069.3 | 2,325.3 | -256.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 276.9 | 317.2 | -40.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,615.9 | 1,582.1 | +33.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 176.5 | 426.0 | -249.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens or Phoenix safer?
Athens is safer with a total crime rate of 2,313 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Athens has a violent crime rate of 243.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Athens has lower violent crime.
About Athens, AL
Athens, Alabama, settled in 1818, is the county seat of Limestone County. This North Alabama city, home to Athens State University, experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 32,862, Athens has a total crime rate of 2,312.7 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.