Is Lafayette or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 42% lower. Lafayette has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lafayette has a 62% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 13.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 3,125.4 | +2,288.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 800.0 | +266.1 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 8.4 | +6.5 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 64.3 | -30.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 181.6 | -112.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 545.3 | +403.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 2,325.3 | +2,022.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 317.2 | +343.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 1,582.1 | +1,645.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 426.0 | +32.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Lafayette, LA
Lafayette, at the heart of Acadiana, is a vibrant hub of Cajun and Creole culture, known for its lively music and food scene. Situated along the Vermilion River, it's the most populous city in the Lafayette metropolitan area. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 121,471, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5,413.6 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.