Is Grand Rapids or Lansing Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than Lansing (Safety Score 14/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100,000 versus 3,845 for Lansing — 12% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grand Rapids has a 38% lower rate.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lansing — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Lansing, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Lansing | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 3,845.0 | -454.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 1,346.0 | -435.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 9.8 | -3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 104.5 | -14.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 96.5 | +19.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 1,134.3 | -436.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 2,499.0 | -18.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 421.6 | -154.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,429.0 | +399.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 648.4 | -264.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Lansing safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 3,391 per 100K vs 3,845 for Lansing — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Lansing has 1,346.0. 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 Lansing, MI
Lansing, Michigan's capital, is a diverse city bisected by the Grand River. Home to Michigan State University, it blends government and academic influences with a developing urban core. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 111,965, Lansing has a total crime rate of 3,845.0 per 100,000 residents.