Is Phoenix or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 42% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 44% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 9.8x 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
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 5,364.0 | -2,238.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 1,179.3 | -379.3 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 5.9 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 104.4 | -40.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 123.7 | +57.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 944.1 | -398.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 4,184.7 | -1,859.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 726.6 | -409.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 3,001.3 | -1,419.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 456.8 | -30.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Springfield safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Phoenix 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 Springfield, MO
Springfield, MO, "Queen City of the Ozarks," is a regional hub in southwest Missouri. Home to Bass Pro Shops' first store, it's a growing metropolitan area with a population of over 169,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 170,527, Springfield has a total crime rate of 5,364.0 per 100,000 residents.