Is Phoenix or Thornton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Thornton is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 0% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Thornton has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 11.4x 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
Thornton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Thornton, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Thornton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,114.2 | +11.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 278.4 | +521.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 1.4 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 79.5 | -15.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 49.4 | +132.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 143.3 | +402.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,835.9 | -510.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 277.0 | +40.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 2,067.9 | -485.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 490.9 | -64.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Thornton safer?
Thornton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Thornton has 278.4. Thornton 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 Thornton, CO
Thornton, a northern Denver suburb, began as a post-WWII housing boom community. It spans parts of Adams and Weld counties, with a diverse, family-oriented population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 145,847, Thornton has a total crime rate of 3,114.2 per 100,000 residents.