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 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,270 for Lakewood — 27% lower. Lakewood has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 36% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 26.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lakewood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lakewood, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lakewood | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,270.0 | 3,125.4 | +1,144.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 648.1 | 800.0 | -151.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 8.4 | -1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 61.4 | 64.3 | -2.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.9 | 181.6 | -50.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 449.3 | 545.3 | -96.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,621.9 | 2,325.3 | +1,296.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 510.7 | 317.2 | +193.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,484.1 | 1,582.1 | +902.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 627.1 | 426.0 | +201.1 |
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 4,270 for Lakewood — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lakewood has a violent crime rate of 648.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lakewood has lower violent crime.
About Lakewood, WA
Lakewood, WA, a city incorporated in 1996, sits between Tacoma and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Its diverse population, with a significant military presence, resides among lakes and historic estates like Thornewood Castle. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 61,873, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 4,270.0 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.