Is Grand Rapids or Sault Ste. Marie Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sault Ste. Marie is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 56/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 55% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sault Ste. Marie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 14.7x 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
Sault Ste. Marie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Sault Ste. Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 1,510.1 | +1,880.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 405.7 | +504.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 150.3 | -60.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 7.5 | +108.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 247.9 | +449.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 1,104.4 | +1,376.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 67.6 | +199.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 991.7 | +837.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 45.1 | +339.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Sault Ste. Marie safer?
Sault Ste. Marie is safer with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Sault Ste. Marie has 405.7. Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the oldest city in Michigan, sits on the St. Marys River across from its Canadian twin. Home to the Soo Locks, a major shipping thoroughfare, its population is around 13,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 13,310, Sault Ste. Marie has a total crime rate of 1,510.1 per 100,000 residents.