Is Burlington or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burlington is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 34/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 28% lower. Burlington has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Burlington has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 70.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burlington, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burlington | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,239.4 | 3,125.4 | -886.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 413.8 | 800.0 | -386.3 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 8.4 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 64.3 | -25.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.1 | 181.6 | -164.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 349.8 | 545.3 | -195.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,825.6 | 2,325.3 | -499.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.0 | 317.2 | -44.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,356.4 | 1,582.1 | -225.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 196.2 | 426.0 | -229.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington or Phoenix safer?
Burlington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 413.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Burlington has lower violent crime.
About Burlington, IA
Burlington, Iowa, a historic Mississippi River town, was once the state's first capital. Located in Des Moines County, its population is approximately 23,000. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 23,444, Burlington has a total crime rate of 2,239.4 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.