Is Grand Rapids or Harper Woods Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than Harper Woods (Safety Score 14/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100,000 versus 5,042 for Harper Woods — 33% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Grand Rapids has a 42% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 13.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Harper Woods — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Harper Woods, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Harper Woods | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 5,041.8 | -1,651.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 774.6 | +135.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 6.8 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 27.2 | +62.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 95.1 | +21.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 645.5 | +52.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 4,267.2 | -1,786.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 326.2 | -58.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 2,473.3 | -644.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 1,467.7 | -1,083.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Harper Woods safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100K vs 5,042 for Harper Woods — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Harper Woods has 774.6. Harper Woods has lower violent crime.
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.
About Harper Woods, MI
Harper Woods is a small suburb bordering Detroit, known for its mid-century housing stock. It's home to Eastland Center, one of the nation's pioneering post-war shopping malls, reflecting its development during the auto industry's boom. The city is geographically compact, primarily residential with a diverse population. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 14,717, Harper Woods has a total crime rate of 5,041.8 per 100,000 residents.