Is Rapid City or Topeka Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Topeka is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 6/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,499 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 0% lower. Rapid City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rapid City has a 61% lower rate.
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Topeka — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City, SD
Topeka, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rapid City | Topeka | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.0 | 4,499.2 | +16.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 723.8 | 856.5 | -132.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 16.0 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 135.9 | 47.1 | +88.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 103.8 | 80.7 | +23.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.1 | 712.7 | -239.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,792.1 | 3,642.7 | +149.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.4 | 637.6 | -210.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,986.8 | 2,504.9 | +481.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.0 | 500.2 | -122.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rapid City or Topeka safer?
Topeka is safer with a total crime rate of 4,499 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rapid City has a violent crime rate of 723.8 per 100K while Topeka has 856.5. Rapid City has lower violent crime.
About Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 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.