Is Grand Rapids or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 69/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 64% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grand Rapids has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 146.7x 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, MN
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,120.6 | 3,125.4 | -2,004.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 88.2 | 800.0 | -711.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 8.8 | 64.3 | -55.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.4 | 545.3 | -465.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,032.4 | 2,325.3 | -1,293.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 17.7 | 317.2 | -299.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,014.7 | 1,582.1 | -567.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 426.0 | -426.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Phoenix safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 88.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Grand Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Grand Rapids, MN
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, a city of 11,000 in Itasca County, is home to the Forest History Center. Known as the birthplace of Judy Garland, it sits on the Mississippi River, surrounded by lakes and forests. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 11,333, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 1,120.6 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.