Is Columbus or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 1% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 52% lower rate.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 3,125.4 | -37.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 800.0 | -365.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 8.4 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 64.3 | +59.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 181.6 | -93.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 545.3 | -334.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 2,325.3 | +328.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 317.2 | +87.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 1,582.1 | +123.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 426.0 | +116.8 |
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 3,088 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 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.