Is Lawrence or Olathe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olathe is safer than Lawrence (Safety Score 69/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100,000 versus 2,627 for Lawrence — 57% lower. Lawrence has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Olathe has a 70% lower rate.
Lawrence — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olathe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, KS
Olathe, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | Olathe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,627.4 | 1,137.3 | +1,490.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 470.8 | 196.0 | +274.8 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 2.0 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 74.5 | 34.1 | +40.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 10.0 | +23.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.7 | 149.9 | +198.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,156.6 | 941.3 | +1,215.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 229.7 | 64.9 | +164.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,762.3 | 772.7 | +989.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 164.5 | 103.7 | +60.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or Olathe safer?
Olathe is safer with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100K vs 2,627 for Lawrence — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 470.8 per 100K while Olathe has 196.0. Olathe has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, KS
Lawrence, Kansas, home to the University of Kansas Jayhawks, sits on the Kansas River. This vibrant college town, with a population around 97,000, played a significant role in the Bleeding Kansas era. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 96,636, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 2,627.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Olathe, KS
Olathe, a major suburb southwest of Kansas City, was once a crucial stop on the Santa Fe Trail. With a population exceeding 140,000, it is the fourth-largest city in Kansas. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 149,473, Olathe has a total crime rate of 1,137.3 per 100,000 residents.