Is Hays or Wichita Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hays is safer than Wichita (Safety Score 50/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 2,842 for Wichita — 40% 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: Wichita is 18.8x 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
Wichita — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hays, KS
Wichita, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hays | Wichita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,694.4 | 2,841.8 | -1,147.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 233.2 | 538.8 | -305.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.3 | -8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 57.1 | 33.1 | +24.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 49.8 | -40.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 447.3 | -280.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,461.1 | 2,303.0 | -841.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.3 | 262.7 | -91.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,218.4 | 1,791.0 | -572.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 71.4 | 249.3 | -177.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hays or Wichita safer?
Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 2,842 for Wichita — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hays has a violent crime rate of 233.2 per 100K while Wichita has 538.8. 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 Wichita, KS
Wichita, the "Air Capital of the World," is a landlocked city in south-central Kansas. Its population is diverse, with significant Hispanic and Vietnamese communities contributing to its cultural fabric. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 395,486, Wichita has a total crime rate of 2,841.8 per 100,000 residents.