Is Phoenix or Urbandale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbandale is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 84/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 726 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 77% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbandale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 35.3x 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
Urbandale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Urbandale, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Urbandale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 725.8 | +2,399.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 91.3 | +708.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 10.6 | +53.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 2.1 | +179.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 76.4 | +468.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 634.6 | +1,690.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 82.8 | +234.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 411.7 | +1,170.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 140.1 | +286.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Urbandale safer?
Urbandale is safer with a total crime rate of 726 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Urbandale has 91.3. Urbandale 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 Urbandale, IA
Urbandale, a Des Moines suburb, was once home to the Hawkeye Six, an early Iowa interurban line. Its population of over 45,000 residents enjoys a blend of residential areas and commercial developments. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 47,119, Urbandale has a total crime rate of 725.8 per 100,000 residents.