Is Kansas City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 17/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 33% lower. Kansas City has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kansas City has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 10.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City, KS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kansas City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,655.0 | 3,125.4 | +1,529.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,048.5 | 800.0 | +248.5 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 8.4 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 67.8 | 64.3 | +3.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 93.9 | 181.6 | -87.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 873.1 | 545.3 | +327.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,606.5 | 2,325.3 | +1,281.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.7 | 317.2 | +125.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,271.7 | 1,582.1 | +689.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 892.0 | 426.0 | +466.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas City or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kansas City has a violent crime rate of 1,048.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, Kansas, part of the larger KC metro area, is the county seat of Wyandotte County. Its historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood reflects the city's rich Eastern European immigrant heritage. Situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it's a key transportation hub. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 153,363, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 4,655.0 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.