Is Phoenix or Rifle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rifle is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 62/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,320 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 58% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rifle has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 156.8x 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
Rifle — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Rifle, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Rifle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 1,319.9 | +1,805.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 311.1 | +488.9 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 75.4 | -11.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 9.4 | +172.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 216.8 | +328.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,008.8 | +1,316.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 66.0 | +251.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 867.4 | +714.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 75.4 | +350.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Rifle safer?
Rifle is safer with a total crime rate of 1,320 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Rifle has 311.1. Rifle 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 Rifle, CO
Nestled in the Colorado River valley, Rifle was founded as a ranching community. The town is known for its outdoor recreation, including Rifle Falls State Park, and has a population of around 10,000. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 10,607, Rifle has a total crime rate of 1,319.9 per 100,000 residents.