Is Phoenix or Ponca City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ponca City is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 1% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ponca City has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 68.5x 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
Ponca City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Ponca City, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Ponca City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,080.0 | +45.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 576.5 | +223.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 8.2 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 86.5 | -22.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 41.2 | +140.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 440.6 | +104.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,503.5 | -178.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 584.7 | -267.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,626.5 | -44.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 292.4 | +133.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Ponca City safer?
Ponca City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Ponca City has 576.5. Ponca City 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 Ponca City, OK
Ponca City, a northern Oklahoma community, was founded during the Cherokee Outlet Land Run. It boasts a diverse population of around 24,000, situated along the Arkansas River. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 24,286, Ponca City has a total crime rate of 3,080.0 per 100,000 residents.