Is Cedar Rapids or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cedar Rapids is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 20/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,951 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 6% lower. Cedar Rapids has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cedar Rapids has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 12.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 3,125.4 | -174.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 800.0 | -537.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 8.4 | -7.6 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 64.3 | -53.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 181.6 | -151.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 545.3 | -325.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 2,325.3 | +363.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 317.2 | -43.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 1,582.1 | +620.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 426.0 | -214.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Phoenix safer?
Cedar Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 2,951 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Cedar Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Cedar Rapids, IA
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a city bisected by the Cedar River, boasts a vibrant Czech Village reflecting its immigrant history. It is the second-largest city in Iowa, with a population approaching 140,000. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 135,363, Cedar Rapids has a total crime rate of 2,951.3 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.