Is Laurel or Southaven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Southaven is safer than Laurel (Safety Score 32/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 2,339 per 100,000 versus 4,840 for Laurel — 52% lower. Laurel has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Southaven has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Southaven is 3.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Laurel — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Southaven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Laurel, MS
Southaven, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Laurel | Southaven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,839.9 | 2,339.4 | +2,500.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,051.9 | 314.6 | +737.3 |
| Murder Rate | 23.6 | 1.7 | +21.9 |
| Rape Rate | 100.5 | 20.9 | +79.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.6 | 31.3 | +63.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 833.2 | 250.3 | +583.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,788.0 | 2,024.8 | +1,763.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 715.1 | 170.3 | +544.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,700.6 | 1,612.9 | +1,087.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 372.3 | 241.6 | +130.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurel or Southaven safer?
Southaven is safer with a total crime rate of 2,339 per 100K vs 4,840 for Laurel — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Laurel has a violent crime rate of 1,051.9 per 100K while Southaven has 314.6. Southaven has lower violent crime.
About Laurel, MS
Laurel, Mississippi, a city in Jones County, is known for its historic downtown, featured in a popular home renovation show. Situated in the Pine Belt region, it has a population of around 18,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 16,922, Laurel has a total crime rate of 4,839.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Southaven, MS
Southaven, Mississippi, a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, grew rapidly after the construction of I-55 in the 1970s. It is the largest city in DeSoto County, boasting a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. The Snowden District is a significant commercial and entertainment hub. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 57,537, Southaven has a total crime rate of 2,339.4 per 100,000 residents.