Is Gainesville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gainesville is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,788 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 43% lower. Gainesville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gainesville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 90.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gainesville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,787.7 | 3,125.4 | -1,337.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 163.5 | 800.0 | -636.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 32.7 | 64.3 | -31.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.9 | 181.6 | -170.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 119.9 | 545.3 | -425.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,624.2 | 2,325.3 | -701.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 212.6 | 317.2 | -104.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,237.2 | 1,582.1 | -345.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 174.4 | 426.0 | -251.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville or Phoenix safer?
Gainesville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,788 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 163.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Gainesville has lower violent crime.
About Gainesville, TX
Gainesville, Texas, a North Texas city near the Red River, is known for its historic downtown and as the home of the Frank Buck Zoo, honoring the famous wild animal collector. The city is a county seat and a significant agricultural hub. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 18,348, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 1,787.7 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.