Is Methuen or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Methuen is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 75/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 972 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 69% lower. Methuen has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Methuen has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 30.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Methuen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Methuen, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Methuen | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 972.1 | 3,125.4 | -2,153.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 175.8 | 800.0 | -624.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 9.2 | 64.3 | -55.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 545.3 | -378.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 796.4 | 2,325.3 | -1,529.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 47.6 | 317.2 | -269.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 682.9 | 1,582.1 | -899.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 65.9 | 426.0 | -360.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methuen or Phoenix safer?
Methuen is safer with a total crime rate of 972 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Methuen has a violent crime rate of 175.8 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Methuen has lower violent crime.
About Methuen, MA
Methuen, Massachusetts, once a mill town known for its hat factories, lies along the Merrimack River near the New Hampshire border. Its diverse population of over 50,000 residents contributes to its suburban character. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 54,623, Methuen has a total crime rate of 972.1 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.