Is Johnston or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Johnston is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 81/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 826 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 74% lower. Johnston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Johnston has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 67.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Johnston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Johnston, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Johnston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 826.0 | 3,125.4 | -2,299.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 76.6 | 800.0 | -723.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 8.4 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 12.1 | 64.3 | -52.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.1 | 181.6 | -173.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 52.4 | 545.3 | -493.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 749.4 | 2,325.3 | -1,575.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 76.6 | 317.2 | -240.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 527.8 | 1,582.1 | -1,054.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 145.1 | 426.0 | -281.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnston or Phoenix safer?
Johnston is safer with a total crime rate of 826 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Johnston has a violent crime rate of 76.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Johnston has lower violent crime.
About Johnston, IA
Johnston, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a major agricultural research company. Situated in Polk County, it boasts a growing population with a median age of around 38. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 24,819, Johnston has a total crime rate of 826.0 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.