Is La Crosse or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than La Crosse (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,103 for La Crosse — 24% lower. La Crosse has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where La Crosse has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 32.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
La Crosse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Crosse, WI
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Crosse | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,102.7 | 3,125.4 | +977.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 391.0 | 800.0 | -409.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 8.4 | -6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 64.3 | +14.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 25.5 | 181.6 | -156.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 284.9 | 545.3 | -260.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,711.7 | 2,325.3 | +1,386.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 279.0 | 317.2 | -38.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,269.6 | 1,582.1 | +1,687.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 163.1 | 426.0 | -262.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Crosse or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,103 for La Crosse — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Crosse has a violent crime rate of 391.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. La Crosse has lower violent crime.
About La Crosse, WI
Nestled on the Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is home to Oktoberfest USA. This city of roughly 52,000 residents lies in a unique bluffland topography. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 50,893, La Crosse has a total crime rate of 4,102.7 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.