Is Odessa or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Odessa is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 31% lower. Odessa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Odessa has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 14.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Odessa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Odessa, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Odessa | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,163.1 | 3,125.4 | -962.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 320.6 | 800.0 | -479.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.5 | 8.4 | -4.9 |
| Rape Rate | 53.4 | 64.3 | -10.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 38.8 | 181.6 | -142.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 220.6 | 545.3 | -324.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,842.5 | 2,325.3 | -482.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 219.8 | 317.2 | -97.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,368.5 | 1,582.1 | -213.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 254.2 | 426.0 | -171.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Odessa or Phoenix safer?
Odessa is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Odessa has a violent crime rate of 320.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Odessa has lower violent crime.
About Odessa, TX
Odessa, named after the Ukrainian city, is a West Texas hub in the Permian Basin. This arid region is a major center for oil and gas production, drawing a diverse, largely working-class population. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 116,039, Odessa has a total crime rate of 2,163.1 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.