Is Atchison or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Atchison is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 57/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 1,481 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 68% lower. Atchison has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Atchison has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 14.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Atchison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Atchison, KS
Kansas City, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Atchison | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,480.6 | 4,655.0 | -3,174.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 150.9 | 1,048.5 | -897.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.4 | -12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 47.2 | 67.8 | -20.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 93.9 | -84.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 94.3 | 873.1 | -778.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,329.7 | 3,606.5 | -2,276.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 122.6 | 442.7 | -320.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.4 | 2,271.7 | -1,168.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.7 | 892.0 | -788.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atchison or Kansas City safer?
Atchison is safer with a total crime rate of 1,481 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Atchison has a violent crime rate of 150.9 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,048.5. Atchison has lower violent crime.
About Atchison, KS
Atchison, the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, sits on the Missouri River in northeastern Kansas. This small city, with a population around 10,000, maintains a historic downtown reflecting its past as a railway hub. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 10,604, Atchison has a total crime rate of 1,480.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, Kansas, part of the larger KC metro area, is the county seat of Wyandotte County. Its historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood reflects the city's rich Eastern European immigrant heritage. Situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it's a key transportation hub. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 153,363, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 4,655.0 per 100,000 residents.