Is Joplin or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Joplin (Safety Score 17/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,681 for Joplin — 33% lower. Joplin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joplin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 31.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Joplin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joplin, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joplin | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,681.2 | 3,125.4 | +1,555.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 560.4 | 800.0 | -239.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 89.7 | 64.3 | +25.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.3 | 181.6 | -129.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 418.4 | 545.3 | -126.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,120.8 | 2,325.3 | +1,795.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 416.6 | 317.2 | +99.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,298.9 | 1,582.1 | +1,716.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 405.4 | 426.0 | -20.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joplin or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,681 for Joplin — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joplin has a violent crime rate of 560.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Joplin has lower violent crime.
About Joplin, MO
Joplin, a city along historic Route 66, sits in Missouri's southwestern corner. Its economy has historically been tied to lead and zinc mining. The population is around 50,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 53,533, Joplin has a total crime rate of 4,681.2 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.