Is Mason City or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mason City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 27/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,546 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 19% lower. Mason City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mason City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 62.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Mason City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mason City, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mason City | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,546.1 | 3,125.4 | -579.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.0 | 800.0 | -576.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 100.8 | 64.3 | +36.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.9 | 181.6 | -166.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 108.3 | 545.3 | -437.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,322.1 | 2,325.3 | -3.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 313.6 | 317.2 | -3.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,937.6 | 1,582.1 | +355.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.9 | 426.0 | -355.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mason City or Phoenix safer?
Mason City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,546 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mason City has a violent crime rate of 224.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Mason City has lower violent crime.
About Mason City, IA
Mason City, Iowa, a regional hub in north-central Iowa, is known for its Prairie School architecture, including a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house. Its population of around 27,000 resides amidst fertile agricultural land. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 26,786, Mason City has a total crime rate of 2,546.1 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.