Is Madison or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 55/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,538 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 51% lower. Madison has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Madison has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 26.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Madison — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, AL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,538.2 | 3,125.4 | -1,587.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 211.0 | 800.0 | -589.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 8.4 | -5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 29.0 | 64.3 | -35.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.1 | 181.6 | -165.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 162.7 | 545.3 | -382.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,327.2 | 2,325.3 | -998.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 106.3 | 317.2 | -210.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,124.2 | 1,582.1 | -457.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 96.6 | 426.0 | -329.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Phoenix safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 1,538 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 211.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Madison has lower violent crime.
About Madison, AL
Madison, Alabama, a rapidly growing city in North Alabama's Tennessee Valley, is home to Redstone Arsenal. Its population has surged, with many residents employed in aerospace and technology sectors. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 62,087, Madison has a total crime rate of 1,538.2 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.