Is Phoenix or Urbana Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbana is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,036 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 3% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbana has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 43.5x 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
Urbana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Urbana, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Urbana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,036.3 | +89.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 544.5 | +255.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 2.6 | +5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 55.0 | +9.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 81.1 | +100.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 405.7 | +139.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,491.9 | -166.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 486.9 | -169.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,740.7 | -158.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 264.4 | +161.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Urbana safer?
Urbana is safer with a total crime rate of 3,036 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Urbana has 544.5. Urbana 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 Urbana, IL
Urbana, Illinois, home to a significant portion of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a Midwestern city with a rich agricultural history. Located in east-central Illinois, it attracts a diverse student and research-oriented population. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 38,204, Urbana has a total crime rate of 3,036.3 per 100,000 residents.