Is Opelika or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Opelika (Safety Score 17/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,185 for Opelika — 2% lower. Opelika has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Opelika has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 48.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Opelika — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Opelika, AL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Opelika | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,184.5 | 3,125.4 | +59.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 560.3 | 800.0 | -239.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.7 | 8.4 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 49.4 | 64.3 | -14.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.2 | 181.6 | -126.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 447.1 | 545.3 | -98.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,624.3 | 2,325.3 | +298.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 206.1 | 317.2 | -111.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,217.8 | 1,582.1 | +635.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 200.3 | 426.0 | -225.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opelika or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,185 for Opelika — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Opelika has a violent crime rate of 560.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Opelika has lower violent crime.
About Opelika, AL
Opelika, a historic railroad town in Lee County, sits near the fall line of the Appalachian foothills. It's home to the Museum of East Alabama, reflecting its deep Southern heritage. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 34,448, Opelika has a total crime rate of 3,184.5 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.