Is Lewiston or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lewiston is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 43% lower. Lewiston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lewiston has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 42.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ME
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,773.5 | 3,125.4 | -1,351.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 244.5 | 800.0 | -555.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 8.4 | -5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 66.9 | 64.3 | +2.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.2 | 181.6 | -122.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 115.8 | 545.3 | -429.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,529.0 | 2,325.3 | -796.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.7 | 317.2 | -152.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.8 | 1,582.1 | -336.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.4 | 426.0 | -307.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or Phoenix safer?
Lewiston is safer with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 244.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lewiston has lower violent crime.
About Lewiston, ME
Lewiston, Maine, a former mill town on the Androscoggin River, is known for its Franco-American heritage and the Bates College campus. It's Maine's second-largest city by population. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 38,850, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,773.5 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.