Is Meridian or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 85/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 77% lower. Meridian has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Meridian has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian, ID
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Meridian | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.2 | 3,125.4 | -2,407.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 800.0 | -653.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 8.4 | -7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 64.3 | -34.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.7 | 181.6 | -170.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.5 | 545.3 | -439.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 571.4 | 2,325.3 | -1,753.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.0 | 317.2 | -265.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 482.4 | 1,582.1 | -1,099.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.1 | 426.0 | -389.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or Phoenix safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Meridian has lower violent crime.
About Meridian, ID
Meridian, Idaho, once known as "Hunter," is a rapidly growing city in Ada County, part of the Boise metropolitan area. Its population has surged, and it hosts the annual Meridian Dairy Days, a nod to its agricultural past. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 140,353, Meridian has a total crime rate of 718.2 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.