Is Phoenix or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheeling is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 76/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 972 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 69% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wheeling has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 44.6x 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
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Wheeling, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 971.8 | +2,153.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 64.4 | +735.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 2.7 | +5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 29.5 | +34.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 10.7 | +170.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 18.8 | +526.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 907.4 | +1,418.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 217.4 | +99.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 585.2 | +996.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 104.7 | +321.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Wheeling safer?
Wheeling is safer with a total crime rate of 972 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Wheeling has 64.4. Wheeling 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 Wheeling, IL
Wheeling, Illinois, once home to a significant German immigrant population, is a village in Cook and Lake counties. Situated about 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, it is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 37,251, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 971.8 per 100,000 residents.