Is Lowell or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lowell is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 35/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 30% lower. Lowell has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lowell has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 14.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lowell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lowell, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lowell | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,195.4 | 3,125.4 | -930.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 532.5 | 800.0 | -267.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 8.4 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 6.9 | 64.3 | -57.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.9 | 181.6 | -124.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 464.4 | 545.3 | -80.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,662.9 | 2,325.3 | -662.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.9 | 317.2 | -167.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,309.6 | 1,582.1 | -272.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 426.0 | -222.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowell or Phoenix safer?
Lowell is safer with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lowell has a violent crime rate of 532.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lowell has lower violent crime.
About Lowell, MA
Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 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.