Is Lincoln or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lincoln is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 67/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,183 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 62% lower. Lincoln has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lincoln has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 127.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lincoln — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lincoln, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lincoln | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,183.3 | 3,125.4 | -1,942.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 169.1 | 800.0 | -631.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 23.1 | 64.3 | -41.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.7 | 181.6 | -173.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 138.3 | 545.3 | -407.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,014.3 | 2,325.3 | -1,311.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 261.3 | 317.2 | -55.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 714.6 | 1,582.1 | -867.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 38.4 | 426.0 | -387.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln or Phoenix safer?
Lincoln is safer with a total crime rate of 1,183 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lincoln has a violent crime rate of 169.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lincoln has lower violent crime.
About Lincoln, IL
Lincoln, Illinois, uniquely named for Abraham Lincoln before his presidency, is a small city in Logan County with a population around 13,000. It's situated in the heart of agricultural Illinois, near the geographic center of the state. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 13,014, Lincoln has a total crime rate of 1,183.3 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.