Is Bethlehem or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bethlehem is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 54/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 50% lower. Bethlehem has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bethlehem has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 21.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bethlehem — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bethlehem, PA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bethlehem | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,575.9 | 3,125.4 | -1,549.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 207.1 | 800.0 | -592.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 8.4 | -5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.4 | 64.3 | -23.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.8 | 181.6 | -153.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 135.1 | 545.3 | -410.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.8 | 2,325.3 | -956.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 84.6 | 317.2 | -232.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.3 | 1,582.1 | -431.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 133.9 | 426.0 | -292.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethlehem or Phoenix safer?
Bethlehem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bethlehem has a violent crime rate of 207.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Bethlehem has lower violent crime.
About Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem, PA, known as "The Christmas City" for its annual celebrations, is a city in the Lehigh Valley. Once a major industrial hub for Bethlehem Steel, it now has a diverse economy and a population of over 75,000. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 79,194, Bethlehem has a total crime rate of 1,575.9 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.