Is La Plata or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Plata is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 41/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,970 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 37% lower. La Plata has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where La Plata has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 149.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
La Plata — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Plata, MD
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Plata | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,970.5 | 3,125.4 | -1,154.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.9 | 800.0 | -584.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 64.3 | -64.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.0 | 181.6 | -163.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 198.0 | 545.3 | -347.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,754.5 | 2,325.3 | -570.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.9 | 317.2 | -83.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,340.7 | 1,582.1 | -241.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 180.0 | 426.0 | -246.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Plata or Phoenix safer?
La Plata is safer with a total crime rate of 1,970 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Plata has a violent crime rate of 215.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. La Plata has lower violent crime.
About La Plata, MD
La Plata, the county seat of Charles County, is a small town in Southern Maryland. It's home to the College of Southern Maryland and boasts a historic downtown district. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 11,114, La Plata has a total crime rate of 1,970.5 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.