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Hays vs Topeka Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Hays crime rate · Topeka crime rate

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Is Hays or Topeka Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Hays is safer than Topeka (Safety Score 50/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 4,499 for Topeka — 62% 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: Topeka is 6.0x 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 SAFER than Hays, KS?

Hays — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Topeka — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Hays, KS

Hays, KS
Safety Score 50/100
Coverage 21,011
Total Crime Rate 1,694.4
Category Wins 7/7

Topeka, KS

Topeka, KS
Safety Score 6/100
Coverage 125,156
Total Crime Rate 4,499.2
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Hays Topeka Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,694.4 4,499.2 -2,804.8
Violent Crime Rate 233.2 856.5 -623.3
Murder Rate 0.0 16.0 -16.0
Rape Rate 57.1 47.1 +10.0
Robbery Rate 9.5 80.7 -71.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 166.6 712.7 -546.1
Property Crime Rate 1,461.1 3,642.7 -2,181.5
Burglary Rate 171.3 637.6 -466.3
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,218.4 2,504.9 -1,286.5
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 71.4 500.2 -428.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Hays, KS to Topeka, KS?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hays or Topeka safer?

Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 4,499 for Topeka — a 62% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Hays has a violent crime rate of 233.2 per 100K while Topeka has 856.5. 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 Topeka, KS

Topeka, the capital of Kansas, is home to the historic Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. This city in Shawnee County has a diverse population, with a significant portion identifying as white and Black. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 125,156, Topeka has a total crime rate of 4,499.2 per 100,000 residents.

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