Is Lake Havasu City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Havasu City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 48/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 44% lower. Lake Havasu City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Havasu City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 27.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Havasu City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Havasu City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,751.3 | 3,125.4 | -1,374.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.3 | 800.0 | -442.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 48.4 | 64.3 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 181.6 | -168.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 293.8 | 545.3 | -251.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,394.0 | 2,325.3 | -931.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.7 | 317.2 | -83.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,070.2 | 1,582.1 | -512.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 90.2 | 426.0 | -335.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Havasu City or Phoenix safer?
Lake Havasu City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Havasu City has a violent crime rate of 357.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lake Havasu City has lower violent crime.
About Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lake Havasu City, home to the London Bridge, is a desert city in Arizona's Mohave County. Its population swells with winter visitors and spring break revelers, drawn to the Colorado River and surrounding recreational lands. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 59,898, Lake Havasu City has a total crime rate of 1,751.3 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.