Is Cortland or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Cortland (Safety Score 17/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,181 for Cortland — 2% lower. Cortland has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cortland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 96.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cortland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cortland, NY
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cortland | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,180.8 | 3,125.4 | +55.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 226.8 | 800.0 | -573.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 40.7 | 64.3 | -23.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.6 | 181.6 | -170.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 174.5 | 545.3 | -370.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,954.0 | 2,325.3 | +628.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 325.6 | 317.2 | +8.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,581.9 | 1,582.1 | +999.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 46.5 | 426.0 | -379.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cortland or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,181 for Cortland — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cortland has a violent crime rate of 226.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Cortland has lower violent crime.
About Cortland, NY
Cortland, "The Crown City," sits in Central New York's hills. Home to SUNY Cortland, it's a small city with a population around 19,000. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 17,197, Cortland has a total crime rate of 3,180.8 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.