Is Phoenix or Portage Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Portage (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,252 for Portage — 4% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 33.6x 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
Portage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Portage, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Portage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,252.0 | -126.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 277.2 | +522.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 48.6 | +15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 20.2 | +161.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 208.4 | +336.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,974.8 | -649.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 269.1 | +48.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,545.7 | -963.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 159.9 | +266.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Portage safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,252 for Portage — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Portage has 277.2. Portage 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 Portage, MI
Portage, Michigan, a Kalamazoo suburb, grew significantly after World War II. It's home to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, and its population is predominantly white, with a median age of around 40. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 49,416, Portage has a total crime rate of 3,252.0 per 100,000 residents.