Is Oxford or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oxford is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 41/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,980 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 37% lower. Oxford has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Oxford has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 60.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Oxford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oxford, MS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oxford | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,979.7 | 3,125.4 | -1,145.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 127.1 | 800.0 | -672.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 8.4 | -4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 36.3 | 64.3 | -28.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.3 | 181.6 | -174.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.9 | 545.3 | -465.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,852.6 | 2,325.3 | -472.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 134.4 | 317.2 | -182.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,663.7 | 1,582.1 | +81.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 54.5 | 426.0 | -371.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxford or Phoenix safer?
Oxford is safer with a total crime rate of 1,980 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oxford has a violent crime rate of 127.1 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Oxford has lower violent crime.
About Oxford, MS
Oxford, home to the University of Mississippi and William Faulkner's Rowan Oak, is a quaint Southern town of roughly 25,000 residents in Lafayette County. It sits amidst rolling hills in north Mississippi, a cultural hub for the region. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 27,529, Oxford has a total crime rate of 1,979.7 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.