Is Lee's Summit or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lee's Summit is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 29/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,444 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 22% lower. Lee's Summit has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lee's Summit has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 15.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lee's Summit — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lee's Summit, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lee's Summit | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,443.5 | 3,125.4 | -681.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 149.5 | 800.0 | -650.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.0 | 8.4 | -7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 29.5 | 64.3 | -34.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 181.6 | -172.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 109.5 | 545.3 | -435.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,294.1 | 2,325.3 | -31.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 128.5 | 317.2 | -188.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,871.4 | 1,582.1 | +289.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 294.1 | 426.0 | -131.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lee's Summit or Phoenix safer?
Lee's Summit is safer with a total crime rate of 2,444 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lee's Summit has a violent crime rate of 149.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lee's Summit has lower violent crime.
About Lee's Summit, MO
Lee's Summit, a large suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, boasts a rich history tied to the railroad and farming. It's home to over 100,000 residents, primarily families and professionals, and offers a mix of residential and commercial areas. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 105,053, Lee's Summit has a total crime rate of 2,443.5 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.