Is Grand Rapids or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 95/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 401 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 88% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rochester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 15.4x 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
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Rochester, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 401.4 | +2,989.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 23.6 | +886.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 0.0 | +89.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 0.0 | +116.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 23.6 | +674.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 377.8 | +2,102.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 7.9 | +259.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 330.6 | +1,498.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 39.4 | +345.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 401 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Rochester has 23.6. Rochester 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 Rochester, MI
Rochester, Michigan, founded along the Clinton River, is a suburban community in Oakland County. This affluent area is known for its vibrant downtown and was home to Meadow Brook Hall, a historic estate. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 12,706, Rochester has a total crime rate of 401.4 per 100,000 residents.