Is Lawrence or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 59/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 54% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawrence has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 18.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,438.6 | 3,125.4 | -1,686.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 439.7 | 800.0 | -360.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 8.4 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 31.3 | 64.3 | -33.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 181.6 | -129.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.2 | 545.3 | -197.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 998.9 | 2,325.3 | -1,326.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 72.5 | 317.2 | -244.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.6 | 1,582.1 | -730.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.8 | 426.0 | -351.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or Phoenix safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 439.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lawrence has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 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.