Is Kelso or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kelso is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 31% lower. Kelso has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Kelso has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 131.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kelso — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kelso, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kelso | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,163.2 | 3,125.4 | -962.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 229.8 | 800.0 | -570.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 8.4 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 64.3 | -16.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.2 | 181.6 | -94.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.2 | 545.3 | -458.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,933.4 | 2,325.3 | -391.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 285.3 | 317.2 | -31.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,481.8 | 1,582.1 | -100.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 166.4 | 426.0 | -259.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelso or Phoenix safer?
Kelso is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kelso has a violent crime rate of 229.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Kelso has lower violent crime.
About Kelso, WA
Kelso, Washington, a Cowlitz River city founded by Peter Crawford, is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World." Situated in Cowlitz County, it shares a border with Longview, and its population was 12,969 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,620, Kelso has a total crime rate of 2,163.2 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.