Is Needham or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Needham is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 85/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 78% lower. Needham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Needham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 50.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Needham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Needham, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Needham | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 698.6 | 3,125.4 | -2,426.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 51.9 | 800.0 | -748.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 12.2 | 64.3 | -52.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 39.7 | 545.3 | -505.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 646.8 | 2,325.3 | -1,678.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 73.2 | 317.2 | -244.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 536.9 | 1,582.1 | -1,045.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.6 | 426.0 | -389.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Needham or Phoenix safer?
Needham is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Needham has a violent crime rate of 51.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Needham has lower violent crime.
About Needham, MA
Needham, a suburban town in Norfolk County, is home to the first-ever American-made baseball. Located just west of Boston, it boasts a highly educated population and a charming town center. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 32,779, Needham has a total crime rate of 698.6 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.