Is Cleveland or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 22/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 9% lower. Cleveland has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cleveland has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 33.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, TN
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,837.4 | 3,125.4 | -288.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.7 | 800.0 | -347.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 8.4 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 18.2 | 64.3 | -46.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 62.7 | 181.6 | -119.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 367.8 | 545.3 | -177.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,384.7 | 2,325.3 | +59.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.8 | 317.2 | -44.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,962.3 | 1,582.1 | +380.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 149.6 | 426.0 | -276.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Phoenix safer?
Cleveland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 452.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Cleveland has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, TN
Cleveland, Tennessee, a city named for Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, sits in Bradley County at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It's home to Lee University, a prominent Church of God institution. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 49,482, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 2,837.4 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.