Is Fort Payne or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Payne is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 43% lower. Fort Payne has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Payne has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 111.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Payne — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Payne, AL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Payne | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,775.2 | 3,125.4 | -1,350.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 160.2 | 800.0 | -639.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 20.0 | 64.3 | -44.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 140.2 | 545.3 | -405.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,615.1 | 2,325.3 | -710.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 287.0 | 317.2 | -30.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,194.6 | 1,582.1 | -387.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 133.5 | 426.0 | -292.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Payne or Phoenix safer?
Fort Payne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Payne has a violent crime rate of 160.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Fort Payne has lower violent crime.
About Fort Payne, AL
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 14,984, Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1,775.2 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.