Is Ottumwa or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottumwa is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 4% lower. Ottumwa has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ottumwa has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 66.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ottumwa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ottumwa, IA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ottumwa | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,013.7 | 3,125.4 | -111.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 397.1 | 800.0 | -403.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 8.4 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 83.4 | 64.3 | +19.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.8 | 181.6 | -153.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 277.9 | 545.3 | -267.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,616.6 | 2,325.3 | +291.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 428.8 | 317.2 | +111.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,945.6 | 1,582.1 | +363.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 242.2 | 426.0 | -183.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottumwa or Phoenix safer?
Ottumwa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ottumwa has a violent crime rate of 397.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Ottumwa has lower violent crime.
About Ottumwa, IA
Ottumwa, once a prominent coal mining center and home to the Beach Ottumwa water park, is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, situated along the Des Moines River. Its population was around 25,000 residents in 2020. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 25,185, Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3,013.7 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.