Is Grand Rapids or Ypsilanti Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ypsilanti is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 19/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,033 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 11% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ypsilanti has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Grand Rapids is 10.3x 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
Ypsilanti — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
Ypsilanti, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Ypsilanti | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 3,033.5 | +357.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 657.2 | +252.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 0.0 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 120.9 | -31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 84.1 | +32.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 452.1 | +245.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 2,376.3 | +104.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 378.5 | -111.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,614.0 | +214.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 383.8 | +0.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Ypsilanti safer?
Ypsilanti is safer with a total crime rate of 3,033 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while Ypsilanti has 657.2. Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti, MI
Ypsilanti, a city in Washtenaw County, is known for its historic Michigan Firehouse Museum and vibrant arts scene. Situated along the Huron River, it's home to Eastern Michigan University, contributing to a youthful demographic. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 19,021, Ypsilanti has a total crime rate of 3,033.5 per 100,000 residents.