Is Merriam or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Merriam (Safety Score 17/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 6,022 for Merriam — 48% lower. Merriam has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Merriam has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 154.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Merriam — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merriam, KS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Merriam | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,021.9 | 3,125.4 | +2,896.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.4 | 800.0 | -364.6 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 8.4 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 74.1 | 64.3 | +9.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.5 | 181.6 | -163.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 333.5 | 545.3 | -211.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,586.4 | 2,325.3 | +3,261.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 315.0 | 317.2 | -2.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,261.6 | 1,582.1 | +2,679.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,009.8 | 426.0 | +583.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merriam or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 6,022 for Merriam — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Merriam has a violent crime rate of 435.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Merriam has lower violent crime.
About Merriam, KS
Merriam, Kansas, a first-tier suburb of Kansas City, was once home to Merriam Park, a popular late 19th-century amusement park. Today, this city in Johnson County is known for its diverse housing stock and proximity to major highways. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 10,794, Merriam has a total crime rate of 6,021.9 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.