Is Kinston or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Kinston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,938 for Kinston — 47% lower. Kinston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Phoenix has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 86.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kinston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kinston, NC
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kinston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,938.4 | 3,125.4 | +2,813.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 974.2 | 800.0 | +174.2 |
| Murder Rate | 20.7 | 8.4 | +12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 77.7 | 64.3 | +13.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.9 | 181.6 | -98.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 777.3 | 545.3 | +231.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,964.2 | 2,325.3 | +2,638.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 994.9 | 317.2 | +677.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,725.8 | 1,582.1 | +2,143.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 243.6 | 426.0 | -182.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinston or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,938 for Kinston — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kinston has a violent crime rate of 974.2 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Kinston, NC
Kinston, a historic city in eastern North Carolina, is home to the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. This Lenoir County seat has a population of around 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 19,298, Kinston has a total crime rate of 5,938.4 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.