Is Belton or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Belton is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 35/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 29% lower. Belton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Belton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 63.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Belton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belton, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belton | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,206.6 | 3,125.4 | -918.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 333.9 | 800.0 | -466.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 76.8 | 64.3 | +12.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.1 | 181.6 | -135.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 211.1 | 545.3 | -334.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,872.8 | 2,325.3 | -452.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.3 | 317.2 | -228.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,592.6 | 1,582.1 | +10.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 191.9 | 426.0 | -234.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belton or Phoenix safer?
Belton is safer with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belton has a violent crime rate of 333.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Belton has lower violent crime.
About Belton, MO
Belton, Missouri, a city in Cass County, grew with the arrival of the Kansas City Southern Railway. It's home to roughly 24,000 residents, situated south of Kansas City. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 26,058, Belton has a total crime rate of 2,206.6 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.