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Lawrence, KS vs Topeka, KS Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Lawrence crime rate · Topeka crime rate

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Is Lawrence, KS or Topeka, KS Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lawrence, KS is safer than Topeka, KS (Safety Score 26/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,627 per 100,000 versus 4,499 for Topeka, KS — 42% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Lawrence has a 68% lower rate.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Lawrence, KS?

Lawrence — 3-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Topeka — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Lawrence, KS

Lawrence, KS
Safety Score 26/100
Coverage 96,636
Total Crime Rate 2,627.4
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 Lawrence Topeka Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,627.4 4,499.2 -1,871.8
Violent Crime Rate 470.8 856.5 -385.7
Murder Rate 5.2 16.0 -10.8
Rape Rate 74.5 47.1 +27.4
Robbery Rate 33.1 80.7 -47.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 348.7 712.7 -364.0
Property Crime Rate 2,156.6 3,642.7 -1,486.1
Burglary Rate 229.7 637.6 -407.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,762.3 2,504.9 -742.6
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 164.5 500.2 -335.7

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

Moving from Lawrence, 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 Lawrence or Topeka safer?

Lawrence, KS is safer with a total crime rate of 2,627 per 100K vs 4,499 for Topeka, KS — a 42% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 470.8 per 100K while Topeka has 856.5. Lawrence 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 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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