Is Independence or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Independence (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,096 for Independence — 24% lower. Independence has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Independence has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 13.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Independence, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Independence | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,095.8 | 3,125.4 | +970.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 572.0 | 800.0 | -228.0 |
| Murder Rate | 9.2 | 8.4 | +0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 64.3 | +25.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.7 | 181.6 | -106.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 396.6 | 545.3 | -148.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,523.7 | 2,325.3 | +1,198.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 407.4 | 317.2 | +90.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,301.5 | 1,582.1 | +719.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 814.8 | 426.0 | +388.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Independence or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,096 for Independence — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Independence has a violent crime rate of 572.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Independence has lower violent crime.
About Independence, MO
Independence, Missouri, a city of about 120,000 residents, is historically significant as the starting point of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails. Located just east of Kansas City, it's a prominent suburb with a rich past. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 120,271, Independence has a total crime rate of 4,095.8 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.