Is Lakewood or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Lakewood (Safety Score 17/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,884 for Lakewood — 47% lower. Lakewood has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakewood has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 10.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lakewood — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lakewood, CO
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lakewood | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,883.8 | 3,125.4 | +2,758.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 790.4 | 800.0 | -9.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 8.4 | -5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 59.7 | 64.3 | -4.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 137.9 | 181.6 | -43.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 587.0 | 545.3 | +41.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,093.4 | 2,325.3 | +2,768.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 588.3 | 317.2 | +271.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,732.0 | 1,582.1 | +2,149.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 773.1 | 426.0 | +347.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakewood or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,884 for Lakewood — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lakewood has a violent crime rate of 790.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lakewood has lower violent crime.
About Lakewood, CO
Lakewood, Colorado, a city of over 150,000 residents, emerged from the historic Villa Park, annexed in 1955. It spans a diverse landscape at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, west of Denver. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 155,868, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 5,883.8 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.