Is Emporia or Wichita Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Emporia is safer than Wichita (Safety Score 25/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,671 per 100,000 versus 2,842 for Wichita — 6% lower. Emporia has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Emporia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Wichita is 16.4x 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
Wichita — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Emporia, KS
Wichita, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Emporia | Wichita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,671.2 | 2,841.8 | -170.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 369.2 | 538.8 | -169.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.3 | -8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 66.4 | 33.1 | +33.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.6 | 49.8 | -33.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 286.2 | 447.3 | -161.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,302.0 | 2,303.0 | -0.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 431.4 | 262.7 | +168.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,791.9 | 1,791.0 | +0.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 78.8 | 249.3 | -170.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emporia or Wichita safer?
Emporia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,671 per 100K vs 2,842 for Wichita — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Emporia has a violent crime rate of 369.2 per 100K while Wichita has 538.8. 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 Wichita, KS
Wichita, the "Air Capital of the World," is a landlocked city in south-central Kansas. Its population is diverse, with significant Hispanic and Vietnamese communities contributing to its cultural fabric. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 395,486, Wichita has a total crime rate of 2,841.8 per 100,000 residents.