Is Grand Rapids or Owosso Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Owosso is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 51/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,643 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 52% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owosso has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 13.5x 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
Owosso — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Owosso, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Owosso | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 1,643.4 | +1,747.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 570.7 | +339.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 110.0 | -20.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 13.8 | +102.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 440.1 | +257.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 1,072.7 | +1,408.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 206.3 | +61.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 811.4 | +1,017.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 55.0 | +329.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Owosso safer?
Owosso is safer with a total crime rate of 1,643 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Owosso has 570.7. Owosso 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 Owosso, MI
Owosso, a city of about 15,000 in Shiawassee County, sits along the Shiawassee River. It was once home to James Oliver Curwood, a renowned novelist and conservationist. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 14,543, Owosso has a total crime rate of 1,643.4 per 100,000 residents.