Is Hays or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hays is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 50/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 46% lower. Hays has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hays has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 79.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hays — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hays, KS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hays | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,694.4 | 3,125.4 | -1,431.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 233.2 | 800.0 | -566.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 57.1 | 64.3 | -7.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 181.6 | -172.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 545.3 | -378.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,461.1 | 2,325.3 | -864.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.3 | 317.2 | -145.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,218.4 | 1,582.1 | -363.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 71.4 | 426.0 | -354.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hays or Phoenix safer?
Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hays has a violent crime rate of 233.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Hays has lower violent crime.
About Hays, KS
Hays, Kansas, once a frontier outpost for Fort Hays, is a city in Ellis County with a population of around 21,000. Located on I-70 in the High Plains, it's home to Fort Hays State University. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 21,011, Hays has a total crime rate of 1,694.4 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.