Is Council Bluffs or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Council Bluffs is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 21/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 8% lower. Council Bluffs has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Council Bluffs has a 62% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 26.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Council Bluffs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Council Bluffs, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Council Bluffs | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,873.0 | 3,125.4 | -252.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 420.8 | 800.0 | -379.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 8.4 | -5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 72.3 | 64.3 | +8.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.7 | 181.6 | -111.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 274.6 | 545.3 | -270.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,452.3 | 2,325.3 | +126.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 486.6 | 317.2 | +169.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,634.8 | 1,582.1 | +52.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 330.8 | 426.0 | -95.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Council Bluffs or Phoenix safer?
Council Bluffs is safer with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Council Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 420.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Council Bluffs has lower violent crime.
About Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, was a pivotal starting point for the Mormon Trail. This city of over 62,000 residents in Pottawattamie County has a rich railway history. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 62,269, Council Bluffs has a total crime rate of 2,873.0 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.