Is Liberal or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Liberal is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 60/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,397 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 55% lower. Liberal has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Liberal has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 88.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Liberal — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Liberal, KS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Liberal | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,396.6 | 3,125.4 | -1,728.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 255.9 | 800.0 | -544.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 5.3 | 64.3 | -59.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.7 | 181.6 | -155.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 223.9 | 545.3 | -321.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,140.7 | 2,325.3 | -1,184.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 191.9 | 317.2 | -125.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 874.2 | 1,582.1 | -707.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.6 | 426.0 | -351.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liberal or Phoenix safer?
Liberal is safer with a total crime rate of 1,397 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Liberal has a violent crime rate of 255.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Liberal has lower violent crime.
About Liberal, KS
Liberal, Kansas, named by railroad workers, sits in Seward County near the Oklahoma border. This agricultural hub is home to the annual Five State Motorcycle Run. Its population is approximately 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 18,760, Liberal has a total crime rate of 1,396.6 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.