Is Helena or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Helena is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 92/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 507 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 84% lower. Helena has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Helena has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 74.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Helena — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Helena, AL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Helena | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 507.3 | 3,125.4 | -2,618.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.2 | 800.0 | -728.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 64.3 | -55.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.3 | 545.3 | -483.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 436.1 | 2,325.3 | -1,889.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.4 | 317.2 | -263.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 329.3 | 1,582.1 | -1,252.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.4 | 426.0 | -372.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena or Phoenix safer?
Helena is safer with a total crime rate of 507 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 84% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Helena has a violent crime rate of 71.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Helena has lower violent crime.
About Helena, AL
Helena, once a bustling railroad town, sits along the Cahaba River in Shelby County. This picturesque community, part of the Birmingham metropolitan area, has experienced significant population growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 22,470, Helena has a total crime rate of 507.3 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.