Is Grand Rapids or Muskegon Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Muskegon is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 70/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,095 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 68% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Muskegon has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 5.3x 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
Muskegon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Muskegon, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Muskegon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 1,094.9 | +2,295.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 255.6 | +654.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 5.4 | +0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 24.2 | +65.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 21.5 | +94.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 204.4 | +493.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 839.3 | +1,641.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 142.6 | +124.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 527.3 | +1,301.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 169.5 | +214.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Muskegon safer?
Muskegon is safer with a total crime rate of 1,095 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Muskegon has 255.6. Muskegon 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 Muskegon, MI
Muskegon, a port city on Lake Michigan, once a major lumbering center, boasts a diverse population of around 38,000 residents. Its downtown revitalization efforts include the popular Muskegon Farmers Market. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 37,174, Muskegon has a total crime rate of 1,094.9 per 100,000 residents.