Is Lawton or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Lawton (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,473 for Lawton — 10% lower. Lawton has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawton has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 18.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawton, OK
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawton | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,473.1 | 3,125.4 | +347.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 820.3 | 800.0 | +20.3 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 8.4 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 143.0 | 64.3 | +78.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.1 | 181.6 | -109.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 595.3 | 545.3 | +49.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,652.7 | 2,325.3 | +327.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 931.2 | 317.2 | +614.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,491.0 | 1,582.1 | -91.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.6 | 426.0 | -195.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawton or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,473 for Lawton — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawton has a violent crime rate of 820.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix has lower violent crime.
About Lawton, OK
Lawton, Oklahoma, is home to Fort Sill, a significant U.S. Army post with a rich history. Located in southwestern Oklahoma, the city is the county seat of Comanche County and a regional hub for the surrounding rural areas. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 90,209, Lawton has a total crime rate of 3,473.1 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.