Is Grand Rapids or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 17/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 8% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Grand Rapids has a 36% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 8.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 3,125.4 | +265.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 800.0 | +110.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 8.4 | -2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 64.3 | +25.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 181.6 | -65.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 545.3 | +152.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 2,325.3 | +155.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 317.2 | -49.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,582.1 | +246.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 426.0 | -41.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city on the Grand River, is known as "Furniture City" due to its rich manufacturing history. It's the second-largest city in Michigan, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 195,913, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 3,390.8 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.