Is Hattiesburg or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Hattiesburg (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,687 for Hattiesburg — 15% lower. Hattiesburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hattiesburg has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 34.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg, MS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hattiesburg | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,686.8 | 3,125.4 | +561.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 221.5 | 800.0 | -578.5 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 8.4 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 39.3 | 64.3 | -25.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 181.6 | -148.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 136.6 | 545.3 | -408.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,465.3 | 2,325.3 | +1,140.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 370.6 | 317.2 | +53.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,873.3 | 1,582.1 | +1,291.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 221.5 | 426.0 | -204.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hattiesburg or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,687 for Hattiesburg — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hattiesburg has a violent crime rate of 221.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Hattiesburg has lower violent crime.
About Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 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.