Is Greenville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Greenville (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,114 for Greenville — 24% lower. Greenville has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Greenville has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 22.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Greenville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Greenville, SC
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Greenville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,114.2 | 3,125.4 | +988.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 645.7 | 800.0 | -154.3 |
| Murder Rate | 9.5 | 8.4 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 30.0 | 64.3 | -34.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.0 | 181.6 | -117.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 540.8 | 545.3 | -4.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,468.4 | 2,325.3 | +1,143.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 303.8 | 317.2 | -13.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,858.1 | 1,582.1 | +1,276.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 306.5 | 426.0 | -119.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greenville or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,114 for Greenville — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Greenville has a violent crime rate of 645.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Greenville has lower violent crime.
About Greenville, SC
Greenville, a city in the Upstate region, boasts a revitalized downtown along the Reedy River. It’s known for its textile industry heritage and a growing population of over 70,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 73,405, Greenville has a total crime rate of 4,114.2 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.