Is Grand Rapids or Jackson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than Jackson (Safety Score 14/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100,000 versus 4,810 for Jackson — 30% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Jackson has a 41% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 6.4x 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
Jackson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Jackson, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Jackson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 4,810.5 | -1,419.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 1,074.8 | -164.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 9.8 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 159.6 | -69.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 68.4 | +48.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 824.0 | -126.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 3,735.7 | -1,255.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 491.8 | -224.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 2,901.9 | -1,073.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 342.0 | +42.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Jackson safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100K vs 4,810 for Jackson — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Jackson has 1,074.8. Grand Rapids 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 Jackson, MI
Jackson, Michigan, a city in the south-central Lower Peninsula, is historically known as the birthplace of the Republican Party. It has a diverse population of approximately 31,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 30,704, Jackson has a total crime rate of 4,810.5 per 100,000 residents.