Is North Reading or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, North Reading is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 93/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 472 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 85% lower. North Reading has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where North Reading has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 100.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
North Reading — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
North Reading, MA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | North Reading | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 471.8 | 3,125.4 | -2,653.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 66.5 | 800.0 | -733.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 6.1 | 64.3 | -58.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.1 | 181.6 | -175.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 54.4 | 545.3 | -490.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 405.3 | 2,325.3 | -1,920.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 48.4 | 317.2 | -268.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 338.8 | 1,582.1 | -1,243.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 18.2 | 426.0 | -407.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Reading or Phoenix safer?
North Reading is safer with a total crime rate of 472 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
North Reading has a violent crime rate of 66.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. North Reading has lower violent crime.
About North Reading, MA
North Reading, a Middlesex County town, is largely residential, with its center near the Ipswich River. Incorporated in 1853, it retains a semi-rural character, despite its proximity to Boston. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 16,531, North Reading has a total crime rate of 471.8 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.