Is East Lansing or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Lansing is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 58/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,440 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 54% lower. East Lansing has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where East Lansing has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 32.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
East Lansing — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
East Lansing, MI
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | East Lansing | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,440.4 | 3,125.4 | -1,685.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 219.9 | 800.0 | -580.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 8.4 | -4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 37.6 | 64.3 | -26.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.9 | 181.6 | -167.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 164.5 | 545.3 | -380.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,220.5 | 2,325.3 | -1,104.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 63.4 | 317.2 | -253.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 984.7 | 1,582.1 | -597.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.4 | 426.0 | -253.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Lansing or Phoenix safer?
East Lansing is safer with a total crime rate of 1,440 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
East Lansing has a violent crime rate of 219.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. East Lansing has lower violent crime.
About East Lansing, MI
East Lansing, Michigan, home to Michigan State University, is a vibrant college town in the southern Lower Peninsula. Its population is largely young adults, and the city's culture is deeply intertwined with university life, including the Spartans' athletic traditions. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 50,472, East Lansing has a total crime rate of 1,440.4 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.