Is Ottawa or Wichita Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottawa is safer than Wichita (Safety Score 64/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 2,842 for Wichita — 56% 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: Wichita is 31.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wichita — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ottawa, KS
Wichita, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ottawa | Wichita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,259.6 | 2,841.8 | -1,582.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 149.6 | 538.8 | -389.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.3 | -8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 31.5 | 33.1 | -1.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.9 | 49.8 | -41.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 110.2 | 447.3 | -337.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,110.1 | 2,303.0 | -1,192.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.6 | 262.7 | -113.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 944.7 | 1,791.0 | -846.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 15.8 | 249.3 | -233.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottawa or Wichita safer?
Ottawa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 2,842 for Wichita — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ottawa has a violent crime rate of 149.6 per 100K while Wichita has 538.8. 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 64/100 and a population coverage of 12,702, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,259.6 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.