Is Kansas City or Leawood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Leawood is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 54/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 1,579 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 66% lower. Kansas City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Leawood has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 4.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Leawood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City, KS
Leawood, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kansas City | Leawood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,655.0 | 1,579.0 | +3,076.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,048.5 | 58.8 | +989.7 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 0.0 | +12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.8 | 2.9 | +64.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 93.9 | 5.9 | +88.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 873.1 | 50.0 | +823.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,606.5 | 1,520.1 | +2,086.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.7 | 141.1 | +301.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,271.7 | 1,211.4 | +1,060.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 892.0 | 167.6 | +724.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas City or Leawood safer?
Leawood is safer with a total crime rate of 1,579 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kansas City has a violent crime rate of 1,048.5 per 100K while Leawood has 58.8. Leawood has lower violent crime.
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.
About Leawood, KS
Leawood, Kansas, a affluent suburb of Kansas City, is known for its tree-lined streets and spacious homes. Developed in the 1920s by Oscar G. Lee, it attracts many professionals and families. Its eastern border abuts the Missouri state line. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 34,010, Leawood has a total crime rate of 1,579.0 per 100,000 residents.