Is Elko or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elko is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 45/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 41% lower. Elko has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elko has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 79.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elko — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elko, NV
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elko | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,836.0 | 3,125.4 | -1,289.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 397.9 | 800.0 | -402.2 |
| Murder Rate | 9.6 | 8.4 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 91.1 | 64.3 | +26.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.2 | 181.6 | -162.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 278.0 | 545.3 | -267.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,438.1 | 2,325.3 | -887.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.2 | 317.2 | -43.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 963.5 | 1,582.1 | -618.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 201.3 | 426.0 | -224.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elko or Phoenix safer?
Elko is safer with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elko has a violent crime rate of 397.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Elko has lower violent crime.
About Elko, NV
Elko, a high desert city in northeastern Nevada, is known as the "Heart of Northeast Nevada" and for hosting the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Its economy has historical ties to ranching and gold mining. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 20,861, Elko has a total crime rate of 1,836.0 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.