Is Denver or Grand Junction Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Junction is safer than Denver (Safety Score 11/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,718 per 100,000 versus 5,755 for Denver — 35% lower. Denver has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Grand Junction has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Denver is 10.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Denver — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Junction — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Denver, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Denver | Grand Junction | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,754.7 | 3,717.9 | +2,036.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 993.2 | 547.5 | +445.7 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 4.2 | +5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 93.6 | 83.5 | +10.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 176.2 | 48.1 | +128.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 713.4 | 410.3 | +303.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,761.6 | 3,170.4 | +1,591.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 708.0 | 321.1 | +386.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,821.6 | 2,624.3 | +197.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,231.9 | 224.9 | +1,007.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver or Grand Junction safer?
Grand Junction is safer with a total crime rate of 3,718 per 100K vs 5,755 for Denver — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Denver has a violent crime rate of 993.2 per 100K while Grand Junction has 547.5. Grand Junction has lower violent crime.
About Denver, CO
Denver, the "Mile High City," sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, a hub of Western expansion since its 1858 founding during the Gold Rush. This rapidly growing city is home to a diverse population of over 700,000 residents. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 722,031, Denver has a total crime rate of 5,754.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Grand Junction, CO
Grand Junction, nestled on the Colorado River, is the largest city on the Western Slope. Known for its peach orchards, it's also home to Colorado Mesa University, attracting a diverse student population. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 70,686, Grand Junction has a total crime rate of 3,717.9 per 100,000 residents.