Is Kearney or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kearney is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 43/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 38% lower. Kearney has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kearney has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 48.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kearney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kearney, NE
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kearney | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,926.1 | 3,125.4 | -1,199.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 301.2 | 800.0 | -498.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 8.4 | -5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 98.5 | 64.3 | +34.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.4 | 181.6 | -164.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.5 | 545.3 | -362.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,624.9 | 2,325.3 | -700.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 168.0 | 317.2 | -149.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,349.8 | 1,582.1 | -232.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 107.2 | 426.0 | -318.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kearney or Phoenix safer?
Kearney is safer with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kearney has a violent crime rate of 301.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Kearney has lower violent crime.
About Kearney, NE
Kearney, Nebraska, a city bisected by the historic Transcontinental Railroad, sits on the Great Platte River Road. It's home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, contributing to a youthful demographic. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 34,525, Kearney has a total crime rate of 1,926.1 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.