Is Emporia or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Emporia is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 25/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,671 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 43% lower. Emporia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Emporia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 6.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Emporia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Emporia, KS
Kansas City, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Emporia | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,671.2 | 4,655.0 | -1,983.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 369.2 | 1,048.5 | -679.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.4 | -12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 66.4 | 67.8 | -1.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.6 | 93.9 | -77.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 286.2 | 873.1 | -586.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,302.0 | 3,606.5 | -1,304.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 431.4 | 442.7 | -11.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,791.9 | 2,271.7 | -479.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 78.8 | 892.0 | -813.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emporia or Kansas City safer?
Emporia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,671 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Emporia has a violent crime rate of 369.2 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,048.5. Emporia has lower violent crime.
About Emporia, KS
Emporia, Kansas, a city of around 24,000 in Lyon County, is home to Emporia State University. Situated in the Flint Hills, it was a significant stop on the Santa Fe Trail. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 24,109, Emporia has a total crime rate of 2,671.2 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.