Is Laurel or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Laurel (Safety Score 17/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,840 for Laurel — 35% lower. Laurel has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Phoenix has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 98.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Laurel — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Laurel, MS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Laurel | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,839.9 | 3,125.4 | +1,714.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,051.9 | 800.0 | +251.9 |
| Murder Rate | 23.6 | 8.4 | +15.3 |
| Rape Rate | 100.5 | 64.3 | +36.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.6 | 181.6 | -87.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 833.2 | 545.3 | +287.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,788.0 | 2,325.3 | +1,462.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 715.1 | 317.2 | +397.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,700.6 | 1,582.1 | +1,118.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 372.3 | 426.0 | -53.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurel or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,840 for Laurel — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Laurel has a violent crime rate of 1,051.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Laurel, MS
Laurel, Mississippi, a city in Jones County, is known for its historic downtown, featured in a popular home renovation show. Situated in the Pine Belt region, it has a population of around 18,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 16,922, Laurel has a total crime rate of 4,839.9 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.