Is Ithaca or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Ithaca (Safety Score 17/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,412 for Ithaca — 8% lower. Ithaca has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Ithaca has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 49.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ithaca — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ithaca, NY
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ithaca | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,412.0 | 3,125.4 | +286.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 196.2 | 800.0 | -603.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.0 | 8.4 | -5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 17.8 | 64.3 | -46.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.6 | 181.6 | -134.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 127.8 | 545.3 | -417.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,215.8 | 2,325.3 | +890.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 329.9 | 317.2 | +12.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,838.4 | 1,582.1 | +1,256.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 47.6 | 426.0 | -378.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ithaca or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,412 for Ithaca — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ithaca has a violent crime rate of 196.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Ithaca has lower violent crime.
About Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, home to Cornell University, is a city nestled in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. Its dramatic gorges and waterfalls are a defining geographic feature, and its population is relatively young due to the presence of two colleges. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 33,646, Ithaca has a total crime rate of 3,412.0 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.