Is Petal or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petal is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 92/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 522 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 83% lower. Petal has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Petal has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 144.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Petal — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petal, MS
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Petal | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 521.5 | 3,125.4 | -2,603.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 130.4 | 800.0 | -669.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.7 | 8.4 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 52.2 | 64.3 | -12.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 181.6 | -181.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.5 | 545.3 | -475.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 391.1 | 2,325.3 | -1,934.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 147.8 | 317.2 | -169.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 208.6 | 1,582.1 | -1,373.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.8 | 426.0 | -391.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petal or Phoenix safer?
Petal is safer with a total crime rate of 522 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Petal has a violent crime rate of 130.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Petal has lower violent crime.
About Petal, MS
Petal, Mississippi, a city in Forrest County, was incorporated in 1960. Situated along the Leaf River, it is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and a population of over 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 11,505, Petal has a total crime rate of 521.5 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.