Is Grand Rapids or Southfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Southfield is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 21/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,913 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 14% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Southfield has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 2.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Grand Rapids, MI?
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Southfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Southfield, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Southfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 2,913.0 | +477.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 493.0 | +417.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 1.3 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 59.6 | +30.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 39.8 | +76.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 392.3 | +305.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 2,420.0 | +60.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 405.6 | -138.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,467.1 | +361.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 547.4 | -163.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Southfield safer?
Southfield is safer with a total crime rate of 2,913 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Southfield has 493.0. Southfield 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 Southfield, MI
Southfield, a Detroit suburb, is home to the landmark "Golden Triangle" of office buildings. Its diverse population has grown significantly since the mid-20th century, with many residents commuting to neighboring communities. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 75,454, Southfield has a total crime rate of 2,913.0 per 100,000 residents.