Is Northfield or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Northfield is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 56/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,502 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 52% lower. Northfield has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Northfield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 78.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Northfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Northfield, MN
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Northfield | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,502.4 | 3,125.4 | -1,622.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 151.7 | 800.0 | -648.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 33.2 | 64.3 | -31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.5 | 545.3 | -426.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,350.8 | 2,325.3 | -974.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 104.3 | 317.2 | -212.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,237.0 | 1,582.1 | -345.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 9.5 | 426.0 | -416.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northfield or Phoenix safer?
Northfield is safer with a total crime rate of 1,502 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Northfield has a violent crime rate of 151.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Northfield has lower violent crime.
About Northfield, MN
Nestled on the Cannon River, Northfield is a historic college town home to Carleton and St. Olaf colleges. Its population of around 20,000 is largely composed of academics and their families. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 21,099, Northfield has a total crime rate of 1,502.4 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.