Is Garden City or Grand Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Garden City is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 72/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,054 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 69% lower. Garden City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Garden City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 7.5x 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
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Garden City, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Garden City | Grand Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,053.5 | 3,390.8 | -2,337.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 280.7 | 910.1 | -629.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.1 | -6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 34.6 | 89.8 | -55.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.3 | 116.4 | -74.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 203.8 | 697.8 | -494.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 772.8 | 2,480.7 | -1,707.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 126.9 | 267.5 | -140.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 465.2 | 1,828.9 | -1,363.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 180.7 | 384.4 | -203.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garden City or Grand Rapids safer?
Garden City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,054 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Garden City has a violent crime rate of 280.7 per 100K while Grand Rapids has 910.1. Garden City has lower violent crime.
About Garden City, MI
Garden City, Michigan, a Wayne County suburb, was founded in 1927. It's known for its historic downtown and strong community ties, with a population around 27,000. With a safety score of 72/100 and a population coverage of 26,008, Garden City has a total crime rate of 1,053.5 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.