Is Denver or Lakewood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Denver is safer than Lakewood (Safety Score 2/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,755 per 100,000 versus 5,884 for Lakewood — 2% lower. Denver has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakewood has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Denver is 4.6x 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
Lakewood — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Denver, CO
Lakewood, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Denver | Lakewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,754.7 | 5,883.8 | -129.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 993.2 | 790.4 | +202.8 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 2.6 | +7.3 |
| Rape Rate | 93.6 | 59.7 | +34.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 176.2 | 137.9 | +38.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 713.4 | 587.0 | +126.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,761.6 | 5,093.4 | -331.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 708.0 | 588.3 | +119.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,821.6 | 3,732.0 | -910.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,231.9 | 773.1 | +458.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver or Lakewood safer?
Denver is safer with a total crime rate of 5,755 per 100K vs 5,884 for Lakewood — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Denver has a violent crime rate of 993.2 per 100K while Lakewood has 790.4. Lakewood 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 Lakewood, CO
Lakewood, Colorado, a city of over 150,000 residents, emerged from the historic Villa Park, annexed in 1955. It spans a diverse landscape at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, west of Denver. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 155,868, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 5,883.8 per 100,000 residents.