Is Carbondale or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Carbondale (Safety Score 17/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,690 for Carbondale — 33% lower. Carbondale has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Carbondale has a 39% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 77.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carbondale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carbondale, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carbondale | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,689.7 | 3,125.4 | +1,564.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,004.9 | 800.0 | +204.9 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 8.4 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 237.3 | 64.3 | +173.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 111.7 | 181.6 | -70.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 646.7 | 545.3 | +101.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.8 | 2,325.3 | +1,359.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,093.3 | 317.2 | +776.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,242.5 | 1,582.1 | +660.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 348.9 | 426.0 | -77.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carbondale or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,690 for Carbondale — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carbondale has a violent crime rate of 1,004.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Carbondale, IL
Nestled in Southern Illinois, Carbondale is a university town, home to Southern Illinois University. Its early development was tied to the Illinois Central Railroad, and it's surrounded by Shawnee National Forest. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 21,494, Carbondale has a total crime rate of 4,689.7 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.