Is Lake Wales or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Wales is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 43% lower. Lake Wales has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Wales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 98.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Wales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Wales, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Wales | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,772.4 | 3,125.4 | -1,352.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.9 | 800.0 | -556.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 23.8 | 64.3 | -40.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.8 | 181.6 | -163.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 202.2 | 545.3 | -343.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,528.6 | 2,325.3 | -796.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 190.3 | 317.2 | -126.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,189.6 | 1,582.1 | -392.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 148.7 | 426.0 | -277.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Wales or Phoenix safer?
Lake Wales is safer with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Wales has a violent crime rate of 243.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lake Wales has lower violent crime.
About Lake Wales, FL
Lake Wales, home to Bok Tower Gardens, sits in Polk County, Florida. This city in the geographic center of the state has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Lake Wales has a total crime rate of 1,772.4 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.