Is Grand Rapids or Madison Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison Heights is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 48/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,735 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 49% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Madison Heights has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 7.0x 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
Madison Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Madison Heights, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Madison Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 1,734.8 | +1,656.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 276.7 | +633.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 7.1 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 21.3 | +68.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 28.4 | +88.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 220.0 | +477.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 1,458.1 | +1,022.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 113.5 | +154.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,096.2 | +732.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 248.3 | +136.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Madison Heights safer?
Madison Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,735 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Madison Heights has 276.7. Madison Heights 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 Madison Heights, MI
Madison Heights, a suburb of Detroit, was once known as the "City of Churches." It's a landlocked community in Oakland County, primarily residential with a significant commercial corridor along John R Road. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 28,188, Madison Heights has a total crime rate of 1,734.8 per 100,000 residents.