Is Elgin or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elgin is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 61/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 56% lower. Elgin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elgin has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 14.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elgin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elgin, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elgin | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,368.7 | 3,125.4 | -1,756.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 266.7 | 800.0 | -533.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 8.4 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 64.7 | 64.3 | +0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.0 | 181.6 | -150.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 545.3 | -378.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,102.1 | 2,325.3 | -1,223.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 211.7 | 317.2 | -105.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 804.4 | 1,582.1 | -777.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 85.9 | 426.0 | -340.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elgin or Phoenix safer?
Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elgin has a violent crime rate of 266.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Elgin has lower violent crime.
About Elgin, IL
Elgin, Illinois, once known as "Watch City" due to the Elgin National Watch Company, is a Fox River community. Located in Kane and Cook counties, it's home to a diverse population of over 114,000 residents. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 112,879, Elgin has a total crime rate of 1,368.7 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.