Moving from Ottawa, 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.
Is Ottawa, KS or Topeka, KS Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ottawa, KS is safer than Topeka, KS (Safety Score 65/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 4,499 for Topeka, KS — 72% lower. Ottawa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Topeka is 9.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Ottawa, KS?
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Topeka — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ottawa, KS
Topeka, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ottawa | Topeka | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,259.6 | 4,499.2 | -3,239.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 149.6 | 856.5 | -707.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 16.0 | -16.0 |
| Rape Rate | 31.5 | 47.1 | -15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.9 | 80.7 | -72.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 110.2 | 712.7 | -602.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,110.1 | 3,642.7 | -2,532.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.6 | 637.6 | -488.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 944.7 | 2,504.9 | -1,560.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 15.8 | 500.2 | -484.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Ottawa, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottawa or Topeka safer?
Ottawa, KS is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 4,499 for Topeka, KS — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ottawa has a violent crime rate of 149.6 per 100K while Topeka has 856.5. Ottawa has lower violent crime.
About Ottawa, KS
Ottawa, Kansas, a town of around 12,000 residents, is the county seat of Franklin County. It was named after the Ottawa tribe, whose reservation once encompassed the area. The town is home to Ottawa University. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 12,702, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,259.6 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.