Is Phoenix or Pittsburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Pittsburg (Safety Score 17/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,860 for Pittsburg — 19% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pittsburg has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 81.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pittsburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Pittsburg, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Pittsburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,860.3 | -734.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 366.5 | +433.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 4.9 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 39.1 | +25.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 29.3 | +152.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 293.2 | +252.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 3,493.8 | -1,168.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 351.8 | -34.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,829.2 | -1,247.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 312.7 | +113.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Pittsburg safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,860 for Pittsburg — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Pittsburg has 366.5. Pittsburg has lower violent crime.
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.
About Pittsburg, KS
Pittsburg, Kansas, a city in Crawford County, was founded as a coal mining town in the late 19th century. Home to Pittsburg State University, it's a regional hub in Southeast Kansas with a population around 20,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 20,465, Pittsburg has a total crime rate of 3,860.3 per 100,000 residents.