Is Newton or Wichita Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Wichita (Safety Score 33/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,287 per 100,000 versus 2,842 for Wichita — 20% lower. Newton has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Wichita is 21.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wichita — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newton, KS
Wichita, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newton | Wichita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,286.9 | 2,841.8 | -554.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 617.2 | 538.8 | +78.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.3 | -8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 77.2 | 33.1 | +44.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.2 | 49.8 | +27.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 462.9 | 447.3 | +15.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,669.7 | 2,303.0 | -633.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 303.1 | 262.7 | +40.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,201.3 | 1,791.0 | -589.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 165.3 | 249.3 | -84.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newton or Wichita safer?
Newton is safer with a total crime rate of 2,287 per 100K vs 2,842 for Wichita — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newton has a violent crime rate of 617.2 per 100K while Wichita has 538.8. Wichita has lower violent crime.
About Newton, KS
Newton, Kansas, the "Railroad Capital of Kansas," began as a wild cowtown on the Santa Fe Trail. Located in Harvey County, it's a small city with a population just under 20,000. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 18,147, Newton has a total crime rate of 2,286.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Wichita, KS
Wichita, the "Air Capital of the World," is a landlocked city in south-central Kansas. Its population is diverse, with significant Hispanic and Vietnamese communities contributing to its cultural fabric. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 395,486, Wichita has a total crime rate of 2,841.8 per 100,000 residents.