Is Erie or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Erie is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 33/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,305 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 26% lower. Erie has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Erie has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 18.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Erie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Erie, PA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Erie | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,304.6 | 3,125.4 | -820.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 375.6 | 800.0 | -424.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 8.4 | -3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 41.1 | 64.3 | -23.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 67.1 | 181.6 | -114.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 262.0 | 545.3 | -283.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,929.0 | 2,325.3 | -396.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 194.9 | 317.2 | -122.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,645.4 | 1,582.1 | +63.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.8 | 426.0 | -337.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erie or Phoenix safer?
Erie is safer with a total crime rate of 2,305 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Erie has a violent crime rate of 375.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Erie has lower violent crime.
About Erie, PA
Erie, a Rust Belt city on Lake Erie's southern shore, is home to the historic Presque Isle State Park. Its economy historically revolved around manufacturing and shipping. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 92,379, Erie has a total crime rate of 2,304.6 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.