Is Lake Charles or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 1% lower. Lake Charles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Charles has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 21.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 3,125.4 | -42.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 800.0 | -187.1 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 8.4 | +8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 64.3 | -11.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 181.6 | -117.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 545.3 | -65.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 2,325.3 | +144.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 317.2 | +295.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 1,582.1 | +69.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 426.0 | -220.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Phoenix safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lake Charles has lower violent crime.
About Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 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.