Is Merriam or Olathe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olathe is safer than Merriam (Safety Score 69/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100,000 versus 6,022 for Merriam — 81% lower. Merriam has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Olathe has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Olathe is 13.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Merriam — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olathe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merriam, KS
Olathe, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Merriam | Olathe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,021.9 | 1,137.3 | +4,884.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.4 | 196.0 | +239.4 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 2.0 | +7.3 |
| Rape Rate | 74.1 | 34.1 | +40.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.5 | 10.0 | +8.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 333.5 | 149.9 | +183.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,586.4 | 941.3 | +4,645.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 315.0 | 64.9 | +250.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,261.6 | 772.7 | +3,488.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,009.8 | 103.7 | +906.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merriam or Olathe safer?
Olathe is safer with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100K vs 6,022 for Merriam — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Merriam has a violent crime rate of 435.4 per 100K while Olathe has 196.0. Olathe has lower violent crime.
About Merriam, KS
Merriam, Kansas, a first-tier suburb of Kansas City, was once home to Merriam Park, a popular late 19th-century amusement park. Today, this city in Johnson County is known for its diverse housing stock and proximity to major highways. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 10,794, Merriam has a total crime rate of 6,021.9 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.