Is Elon or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elon is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 96/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 388 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 88% lower. Elon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elon has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 143.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elon, NC
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elon | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 388.4 | 3,125.4 | -2,736.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 77.7 | 800.0 | -722.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 25.9 | 64.3 | -38.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.8 | 545.3 | -493.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 310.8 | 2,325.3 | -2,014.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 69.1 | 317.2 | -248.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 207.2 | 1,582.1 | -1,375.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.5 | 426.0 | -391.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elon or Phoenix safer?
Elon is safer with a total crime rate of 388 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elon has a violent crime rate of 77.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Elon has lower violent crime.
About Elon, NC
Elon, North Carolina, home to Elon University, is a small town in Alamance County. Its population is predominantly young due to the university's presence. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 11,585, Elon has a total crime rate of 388.4 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.