Is Bartow or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bartow is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 33/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,282 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 27% lower. Bartow has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bartow has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 79.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bartow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bartow, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bartow | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,281.8 | 3,125.4 | -843.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 491.7 | 800.0 | -308.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 8.4 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 43.0 | 64.3 | -21.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 66.8 | 181.6 | -114.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 377.1 | 545.3 | -168.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,790.2 | 2,325.3 | -535.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.4 | 317.2 | +55.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,298.5 | 1,582.1 | -283.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 119.3 | 426.0 | -306.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bartow or Phoenix safer?
Bartow is safer with a total crime rate of 2,282 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bartow has a violent crime rate of 491.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Bartow has lower violent crime.
About Bartow, FL
Bartow, the "City of Oaks and Azaleas," is the county seat of Polk County in Central Florida. Founded in 1851, it's home to the historic Polk County Courthouse and a diverse population of about 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 20,948, Bartow has a total crime rate of 2,281.8 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.