Is Pittsburg or Wichita Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wichita is safer than Pittsburg (Safety Score 22/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 2,842 per 100,000 versus 3,860 for Pittsburg — 26% lower. Pittsburg has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pittsburg has a 41% lower rate.
Note: Wichita is 19.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pittsburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wichita — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pittsburg, KS
Wichita, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pittsburg | Wichita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,860.3 | 2,841.8 | +1,018.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 366.5 | 538.8 | -172.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 8.3 | -3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 39.1 | 33.1 | +6.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.3 | 49.8 | -20.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 293.2 | 447.3 | -154.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,493.8 | 2,303.0 | +1,190.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 351.8 | 262.7 | +89.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,829.2 | 1,791.0 | +1,038.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 312.7 | 249.3 | +63.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pittsburg or Wichita safer?
Wichita is safer with a total crime rate of 2,842 per 100K vs 3,860 for Pittsburg — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pittsburg has a violent crime rate of 366.5 per 100K while Wichita has 538.8. Pittsburg has lower violent crime.
About Pittsburg, KS
Pittsburg, Kansas, a city in Crawford County, was founded as a coal mining town in the late 19th century. Home to Pittsburg State University, it's a regional hub in Southeast Kansas with a population around 20,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 20,465, Pittsburg has a total crime rate of 3,860.3 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.