Is Decatur or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Decatur (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,471 for Decatur — 10% lower. Decatur has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Decatur has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 24.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Decatur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Decatur | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,471.0 | 3,125.4 | +345.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 603.5 | 800.0 | -196.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 8.4 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 45.6 | 64.3 | -18.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.2 | 181.6 | -87.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 454.9 | 545.3 | -90.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,867.5 | 2,325.3 | +542.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 927.4 | 317.2 | +610.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,532.4 | 1,582.1 | -49.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 407.8 | 426.0 | -18.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,471 for Decatur — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 603.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Decatur has lower violent crime.
About Decatur, IL
Decatur, a Central Illinois city, sits on the Sangamon River and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. It's home to Millikin University and a diverse population, with a significant portion of its residents identifying as African American. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 67,934, Decatur has a total crime rate of 3,471.0 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.