Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jacksonville is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 30/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,406 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 23% lower. Jacksonville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Jacksonville has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 97.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Jacksonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jacksonville, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jacksonville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,406.3 | 3,125.4 | -719.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 303.7 | 800.0 | -496.3 |
| Murder Rate | 11.7 | 8.4 | +3.3 |
| Rape Rate | 81.8 | 64.3 | +17.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.2 | 181.6 | -152.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 181.1 | 545.3 | -364.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,102.6 | 2,325.3 | -222.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.4 | 317.2 | +144.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,489.3 | 1,582.1 | -92.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 151.9 | 426.0 | -274.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacksonville or Phoenix safer?
Jacksonville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,406 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jacksonville has a violent crime rate of 303.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Jacksonville has lower violent crime.
About Jacksonville, IL
Jacksonville, Illinois, a city of 17,000 in Morgan County, is home to Illinois College, founded in 1829. It sits on the historic alignment of U.S. Route 67, roughly 35 miles west of Springfield. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 17,122, Jacksonville has a total crime rate of 2,406.3 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.