Is Newton or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 43% lower. Newton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 106.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newton, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newton | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,774.4 | 3,125.4 | -1,351.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 384.3 | 800.0 | -415.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 89.7 | 64.3 | +25.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 25.6 | 181.6 | -156.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 269.0 | 545.3 | -276.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,390.1 | 2,325.3 | -935.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 249.8 | 317.2 | -67.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,076.2 | 1,582.1 | -506.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 64.1 | 426.0 | -362.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newton or Phoenix safer?
Newton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newton has a violent crime rate of 384.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Newton has lower violent crime.
About Newton, IA
Newton, Iowa, a city in Jasper County, is known as the former home of Maytag. Located east of Des Moines, its population was 15,760 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 15,611, Newton has a total crime rate of 1,774.4 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.