Is Petal or Southaven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petal is safer than Southaven (Safety Score 92/100 vs 32/100), with a total crime rate of 522 per 100,000 versus 2,339 for Southaven — 78% 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: Southaven is 5.0x 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
Southaven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petal, MS
Southaven, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Petal | Southaven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 521.5 | 2,339.4 | -1,817.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 130.4 | 314.6 | -184.2 |
| Murder Rate | 8.7 | 1.7 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 52.2 | 20.9 | +31.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 31.3 | -31.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.5 | 250.3 | -180.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 391.1 | 2,024.8 | -1,633.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 147.8 | 170.3 | -22.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 208.6 | 1,612.9 | -1,404.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.8 | 241.6 | -206.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petal or Southaven safer?
Petal is safer with a total crime rate of 522 per 100K vs 2,339 for Southaven — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Petal has a violent crime rate of 130.4 per 100K while Southaven has 314.6. 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 Southaven, MS
Southaven, Mississippi, a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, grew rapidly after the construction of I-55 in the 1970s. It is the largest city in DeSoto County, boasting a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. The Snowden District is a significant commercial and entertainment hub. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 57,537, Southaven has a total crime rate of 2,339.4 per 100,000 residents.