Is Bolivar or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bolivar is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 66/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,198 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 62% lower. Bolivar has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bolivar has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 144.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bolivar — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bolivar, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bolivar | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,197.6 | 3,125.4 | -1,927.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 800.0 | -626.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 95.5 | 64.3 | +31.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.7 | 181.6 | -172.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.4 | 545.3 | -475.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,024.0 | 2,325.3 | -1,301.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 112.8 | 317.2 | -204.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 841.8 | 1,582.1 | -740.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.4 | 426.0 | -356.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bolivar or Phoenix safer?
Bolivar is safer with a total crime rate of 1,198 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bolivar has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Bolivar has lower violent crime.
About Bolivar, MO
Bolivar, the seat of Polk County, is nestled in the Ozarks and home to Southwest Baptist University. This town, named for Venezuelan liberator Simón Bolívar, has a population around 10,000. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 11,523, Bolivar has a total crime rate of 1,197.6 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.