Is Phoenix or St. Joseph Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than St. Joseph (Safety Score 17/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 4,579 for St. Joseph — 32% lower. Phoenix has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Joseph has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 23.7x 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
St. Joseph — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
St. Joseph, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | St. Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 4,579.5 | -1,454.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 728.6 | +71.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 4.3 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 178.2 | -113.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 54.2 | +127.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 491.9 | +53.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 3,850.9 | -1,525.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 536.1 | -218.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,774.5 | -1,192.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 540.4 | -114.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or St. Joseph safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 4,579 for St. Joseph — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while St. Joseph has 728.6. St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, Missouri, a city on the Missouri River, was the starting point of the Pony Express. This Buchanan County seat is located across from Kansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 70,139, St. Joseph has a total crime rate of 4,579.5 per 100,000 residents.