Is Flint or Grand Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Flint is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 27/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,570 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 24% lower. Flint has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grand Rapids has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Flint — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Flint, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Flint | Grand Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,570.0 | 3,390.8 | -820.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,257.9 | 910.1 | +347.8 |
| Murder Rate | 25.3 | 6.1 | +19.1 |
| Rape Rate | 59.4 | 89.8 | -30.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.6 | 116.4 | -55.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,112.6 | 697.8 | +414.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,312.2 | 2,480.7 | -1,168.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 277.8 | 267.5 | +10.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 732.5 | 1,828.9 | -1,096.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 301.8 | 384.4 | -82.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flint or Grand Rapids safer?
Flint is safer with a total crime rate of 2,570 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Flint has a violent crime rate of 1,257.9 per 100K while Grand Rapids has 910.1. Grand Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Flint, MI
Flint, Michigan, once a General Motors boomtown, sits on the Flint River in Genesee County. Its population is predominantly African American, a legacy of the Great Migration. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 79,183, Flint has a total crime rate of 2,570.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city on the Grand River, is known as "Furniture City" due to its rich manufacturing history. It's the second-largest city in Michigan, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 195,913, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 3,390.8 per 100,000 residents.