Is Garden City or Wichita Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Garden City is safer than Wichita (Safety Score 27/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,596 per 100,000 versus 2,842 for Wichita — 9% lower. Garden City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Garden City has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Wichita is 14.6x 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
Wichita — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Garden City, KS
Wichita, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Garden City | Wichita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,596.1 | 2,841.8 | -245.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 515.5 | 538.8 | -23.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.7 | 8.3 | -4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.9 | 33.1 | +25.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.2 | 49.8 | +5.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 394.0 | 447.3 | -53.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,080.6 | 2,303.0 | -222.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 262.7 | -108.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,778.6 | 1,791.0 | -12.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 147.3 | 249.3 | -102.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garden City or Wichita safer?
Garden City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,596 per 100K vs 2,842 for Wichita — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Garden City has a violent crime rate of 515.5 per 100K while Wichita has 538.8. Garden City 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 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.