Is Garden City or Olathe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olathe is safer than Garden City (Safety Score 69/100 vs 27/100), with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100,000 versus 2,596 for Garden City — 56% lower. Garden City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Olathe has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Olathe is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Garden City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olathe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Garden City, KS
Olathe, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Garden City | Olathe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,596.1 | 1,137.3 | +1,458.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 515.5 | 196.0 | +319.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.7 | 2.0 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.9 | 34.1 | +24.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.2 | 10.0 | +45.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 394.0 | 149.9 | +244.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,080.6 | 941.3 | +1,139.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 64.9 | +89.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,778.6 | 772.7 | +1,005.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 147.3 | 103.7 | +43.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garden City or Olathe safer?
Olathe is safer with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100K vs 2,596 for Garden City — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Garden City has a violent crime rate of 515.5 per 100K while Olathe has 196.0. Olathe has lower violent crime.
About Garden City, KS
Garden City, the "Air Capital of the West," lies in southwest Kansas. This agricultural hub, home to a large meatpacking industry, has experienced significant demographic shifts. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 27,156, Garden City has a total crime rate of 2,596.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Olathe, KS
Olathe, a major suburb southwest of Kansas City, was once a crucial stop on the Santa Fe Trail. With a population exceeding 140,000, it is the fourth-largest city in Kansas. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 149,473, Olathe has a total crime rate of 1,137.3 per 100,000 residents.