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Detroit vs Grand Rapids: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Detroit has a crime rate of 55 per 1,000 residents vs Grand Rapids's 24.4 per 1,000, making Grand Rapids 56% safer overall. Grand Rapids earns a C+ safety grade compared to Detroit's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Detroit

Michigan

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate55/1K
Percentile2%
C+

Grand Rapids

Michigan

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate24.4/1K
Percentile46%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricDetroitGrand Rapids
Overall Crime Rate55/1K24.4/1K
Violent Crime Rate1900.0390.5
Property Crime Rate3600.02051.6
Murder Rate26.34.4
Assault Rate1355.2324.8
Robbery Rate316.445.9
Burglary Rate534.9382.7
Theft Rate2903.91383.8
Vehicle Theft Rate387.8320.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Detroit is safer in 0 and Grand Rapids is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Detroit, you have a 1 in 18 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 41 in Grand Rapids.

Full Safety Reports

F
Detroit, Michigan Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Grand Rapids, Michigan Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Detroit safer than Grand Rapids?
As of 2026, Grand Rapids is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24.4 per 1,000 residents compared to Detroit's 55. Grand Rapids earns a C+ safety grade vs Detroit's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Detroit or Grand Rapids?
Detroit has more violent crime at 1900 per 100,000 residents. Grand Rapids is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Detroit vs Grand Rapids?
Detroit has a crime rate of 55 per 1,000 (violent: 1900/100K, property: 3600/100K). Grand Rapids has 24.4 per 1,000 (violent: 391/100K, property: 2052/100K).
Should I move to Detroit or Grand Rapids?
From a safety perspective, Grand Rapids has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Detroit (pop. 649,095) and Grand Rapids (pop. 201,183) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Grand Rapids's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Detroit and Grand Rapids compare for property crime?
Grand Rapids has lower property crime at 2052 per 100K vs Detroit's 3600. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Detroit vs ChicagoDetroit vs ClevelandDetroit vs St. Louis

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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