Is Morgantown or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morgantown is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 30% lower. Morgantown has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Morgantown has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 54.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Morgantown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Morgantown, WV
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Morgantown | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,173.1 | 3,125.4 | -952.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 213.0 | 800.0 | -587.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.1 | 8.4 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 59.0 | 64.3 | -5.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.7 | 181.6 | -162.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.0 | 545.3 | -427.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,960.0 | 2,325.3 | -365.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 114.7 | 317.2 | -202.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,809.2 | 1,582.1 | +227.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.1 | 426.0 | -390.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morgantown or Phoenix safer?
Morgantown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Morgantown has a violent crime rate of 213.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Morgantown has lower violent crime.
About Morgantown, WV
Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, is a city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the Monongahela River. Its population of roughly 30,000 is significantly boosted by its large student body, shaping a vibrant yet often transient community. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 30,510, Morgantown has a total crime rate of 2,173.1 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.