Is Beckley or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Beckley (Safety Score 17/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 8,517 for Beckley — 63% lower. Beckley has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beckley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 101.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Beckley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beckley, WV
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beckley | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 8,517.1 | 3,125.4 | +5,391.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 604.9 | 800.0 | -195.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 116.1 | 64.3 | +51.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.0 | 181.6 | -126.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 433.8 | 545.3 | -111.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 7,912.3 | 2,325.3 | +5,586.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 879.8 | 317.2 | +562.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 6,861.4 | 1,582.1 | +5,279.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 171.1 | 426.0 | -255.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beckley or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 8,517 for Beckley — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beckley has a violent crime rate of 604.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Beckley has lower violent crime.
About Beckley, WV
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Beckley, West Virginia, is a historic coal mining town. Home to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, it serves as a regional hub for southern West Virginia. Its population is approximately 16,000. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 16,367, Beckley has a total crime rate of 8,517.1 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.