Is Grand Rapids or Royal Oak Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Royal Oak is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 77/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 926 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 73% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Royal Oak has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 3.4x 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
Royal Oak — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Royal Oak, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Royal Oak | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 925.7 | +2,465.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 124.0 | +786.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 7.0 | +82.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 12.2 | +104.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 104.8 | +593.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 801.7 | +1,679.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 64.6 | +202.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 616.5 | +1,212.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 120.5 | +263.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Royal Oak safer?
Royal Oak is safer with a total crime rate of 926 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Royal Oak has 124.0. Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak, MI
Royal Oak, a vibrant Detroit suburb, boasts a rich arts scene with the landmark Emagine Theatre. Its dense population of young professionals and families enjoys a walkable downtown with diverse dining and entertainment. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 57,257, Royal Oak has a total crime rate of 925.7 per 100,000 residents.