Is Gadsden or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Gadsden (Safety Score 17/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,159 for Gadsden — 1% lower. Gadsden has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Gadsden has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 50.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gadsden — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gadsden, AL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gadsden | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,159.2 | 3,125.4 | +33.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 581.6 | 800.0 | -218.5 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 8.4 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 12.1 | 64.3 | -52.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 48.5 | 181.6 | -133.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 508.9 | 545.3 | -36.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,577.6 | 2,325.3 | +252.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 293.8 | 317.2 | -23.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,065.7 | 1,582.1 | +483.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.1 | 426.0 | -208.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gadsden or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,159 for Gadsden — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gadsden has a violent crime rate of 581.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Gadsden has lower violent crime.
About Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, a city in northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, sits on the Coosa River. It was a major industrial hub, home to Republic Steel, and is the county seat of Etowah County. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 33,015, Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3,159.2 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.