Is Buffalo or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Buffalo is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 5/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,517 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 3% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kansas City has a 41% lower rate.
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Kansas City, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 4,655.0 | -138.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 1,048.5 | -341.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 12.4 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 67.8 | -24.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 93.9 | +63.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 873.1 | -380.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 3,606.5 | +203.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 442.7 | -4.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 2,271.7 | +301.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 892.0 | -93.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Kansas City safer?
Buffalo is safer with a total crime rate of 4,517 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,048.5. Buffalo has lower violent crime.
About Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and stunning architecture by masters like Frank Lloyd Wright. As the second-largest city in New York, it experiences distinct seasons, including significant snowfall. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 273,728, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 4,516.5 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.