Is Forest Lake or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Forest Lake is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 53/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 49% lower. Forest Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Forest Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 80.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Forest Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Forest Lake, MN
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Forest Lake | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.7 | 3,125.4 | -1,529.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.9 | 800.0 | -679.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 19.3 | 64.3 | -45.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.8 | 181.6 | -176.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 96.7 | 545.3 | -448.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,474.9 | 2,325.3 | -850.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 317.2 | -162.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,213.7 | 1,582.1 | -368.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 426.0 | -319.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Lake or Phoenix safer?
Forest Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Forest Lake has a violent crime rate of 120.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Forest Lake has lower violent crime.
About Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake, MN, a northern suburb of St. Paul, was once a popular resort town. Situated around the lake of the same name, its population was 20,612 as of 2020. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 20,680, Forest Lake has a total crime rate of 1,595.7 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.