Is Boise or Garden City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boise is safer than Garden City (Safety Score 60/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100,000 versus 2,092 for Garden City — 33% lower. Boise has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Garden City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boise is 18.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Garden City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boise, ID
Garden City, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boise | Garden City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,403.8 | 2,091.7 | -687.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 293.8 | 656.1 | -362.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 0.0 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 71.0 | 84.9 | -13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.7 | 7.7 | +8.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 205.8 | 563.5 | -357.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,110.0 | 1,435.6 | -325.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.1 | 162.1 | -55.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 872.8 | 1,142.3 | -269.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 130.1 | 131.2 | -1.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boise or Garden City safer?
Boise is safer with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100K vs 2,092 for Garden City — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boise has a violent crime rate of 293.8 per 100K while Garden City has 656.1. Boise has lower violent crime.
About Boise, ID
Boise, Idaho, known for the "Treefort Music Fest," sits along the Boise River at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. As the state capital, it's the largest city in Idaho, with a population exceeding 230,000. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 235,223, Boise has a total crime rate of 1,403.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Garden City, ID
Garden City, nestled along the Boise River, was historically a haven for taverns and gambling. This small, riverside community is almost entirely surrounded by Boise, Idaho. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 12,956, Garden City has a total crime rate of 2,091.7 per 100,000 residents.