Is Des Moines or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 17/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 18% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Des Moines has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 7.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 3,125.4 | +706.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 800.0 | -95.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 8.4 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 64.3 | -13.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 181.6 | -106.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 545.3 | +27.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 2,325.3 | +801.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 317.2 | +145.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 1,582.1 | +559.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 426.0 | +95.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 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.