Is Naperville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Naperville is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 76/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 967 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 69% lower. Naperville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Naperville has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Naperville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Naperville, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Naperville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 967.3 | 3,125.4 | -2,158.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 83.7 | 800.0 | -716.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 8.4 | -7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 64.3 | -34.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.3 | 181.6 | -166.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 37.9 | 545.3 | -507.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 883.6 | 2,325.3 | -1,441.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 65.8 | 317.2 | -251.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 755.4 | 1,582.1 | -826.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 62.5 | 426.0 | -363.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Naperville or Phoenix safer?
Naperville is safer with a total crime rate of 967 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Naperville has a violent crime rate of 83.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Naperville has lower violent crime.
About Naperville, IL
Naperville, a large Chicago suburb, is home to the Riverwalk, a scenic parkway along the DuPage River. This affluent community boasts a highly educated population and a thriving economy, contributing to its reputation as a desirable place to live. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 150,521, Naperville has a total crime rate of 967.3 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.