Is Phoenix or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheeling is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 20/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,975 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 5% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wheeling has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 64.1x 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, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 2,974.8 | +150.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 982.6 | -182.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 54.0 | +10.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 54.0 | +127.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 874.7 | -329.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 1,992.2 | +333.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 558.8 | -241.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,321.7 | +260.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 111.8 | +314.3 |
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 2,975 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Wheeling has 982.6. Phoenix 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, WV
Wheeling, a historic Ohio River city, once served as West Virginia's first state capital. Its population of around 27,000 residents reflects a legacy of industry and a unique Appalachian-Rust Belt identity. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 25,951, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 residents.