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 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,146 for Des Moines — 1% lower. Des Moines has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Moines has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 52.5x 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, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 3,125.4 | +20.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 800.0 | -503.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 8.4 | -5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 64.3 | -35.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 181.6 | -77.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 545.3 | -384.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 2,325.3 | +523.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 317.2 | -102.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 1,582.1 | +345.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 426.0 | +280.7 |
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 3,146 for Des Moines — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, WA
Des Moines, Washington, a Puget Sound city, was once a popular resort town. Today, its waterfront views and proximity to Seattle attract a diverse population. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 31,694, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,145.7 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.