Is Palos Heights or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palos Heights is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 77/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 925 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 70% lower. Palos Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palos Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 146.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palos Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palos Heights, IL
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palos Heights | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 924.9 | 3,125.4 | -2,200.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 61.7 | 800.0 | -738.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.4 | -8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 35.2 | 64.3 | -29.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.6 | 181.6 | -164.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 8.8 | 545.3 | -536.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 863.2 | 2,325.3 | -1,462.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.1 | 317.2 | -229.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 766.3 | 1,582.1 | -815.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.8 | 426.0 | -417.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palos Heights or Phoenix safer?
Palos Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 925 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palos Heights has a violent crime rate of 61.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Palos Heights has lower violent crime.
About Palos Heights, IL
Palos Heights, a southwestern Chicago suburb, is home to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. This Cook County community, incorporated in 1959, features a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 11,353, Palos Heights has a total crime rate of 924.9 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.