Is Phoenix or Prior Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prior Lake is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 67/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 62% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prior Lake has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 59.0x 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
Prior Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Prior Lake, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Prior Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 1,178.9 | +1,946.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 106.5 | +693.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 3.6 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 32.0 | +32.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 7.1 | +174.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 63.9 | +481.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,072.3 | +1,253.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 63.9 | +253.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 955.2 | +627.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 53.3 | +372.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Prior Lake safer?
Prior Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Prior Lake has 106.5. Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake, MN
Prior Lake, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis, is named for its large lake and is home to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It's a growing, affluent community with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 28,163, Prior Lake has a total crime rate of 1,178.9 per 100,000 residents.