Is Hays or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hays is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 50/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 64% lower. Hays has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hays has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 7.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hays — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hays, KS
Kansas City, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hays | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,694.4 | 4,655.0 | -2,960.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 233.2 | 1,048.5 | -815.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.4 | -12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 57.1 | 67.8 | -10.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 93.9 | -84.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 873.1 | -706.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,461.1 | 3,606.5 | -2,145.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.3 | 442.7 | -271.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,218.4 | 2,271.7 | -1,053.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 71.4 | 892.0 | -820.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hays or Kansas City safer?
Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hays has a violent crime rate of 233.2 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,048.5. Hays has lower violent crime.
About Hays, KS
Hays, Kansas, once a frontier outpost for Fort Hays, is a city in Ellis County with a population of around 21,000. Located on I-70 in the High Plains, it's home to Fort Hays State University. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 21,011, Hays has a total crime rate of 1,694.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, Kansas, part of the larger KC metro area, is the county seat of Wyandotte County. Its historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood reflects the city's rich Eastern European immigrant heritage. Situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it's a key transportation hub. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 153,363, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 4,655.0 per 100,000 residents.