Is Columbus or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 74/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 68% lower. Columbus has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbus has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 67.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, NE
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,012.4 | 3,125.4 | -2,113.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 85.4 | 800.0 | -714.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 44.7 | 64.3 | -19.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.1 | 181.6 | -177.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 36.6 | 545.3 | -508.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 927.0 | 2,325.3 | -1,398.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 93.5 | 317.2 | -223.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 768.5 | 1,582.1 | -813.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 65.1 | 426.0 | -361.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Phoenix safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 85.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, NE
Columbus, Nebraska, a city named after Christopher Columbus, sits on the Loup and Platte Rivers. It is the county seat of Platte County and has a population of over 24,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 24,595, Columbus has a total crime rate of 1,012.4 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.