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D-

Is Kansas City, Kansas Safe?

Population 157,805 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Kansas City runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 86% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 2,095 per 100K.

Kansas City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricKansas CityKansas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate356.9316.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2424.82034.11,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate290.0--268.2
Theft Rate2095.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate274.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

278.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

357/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2425/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Kansas City

Violent crime in Kansas City is close to the national average. The rate of 356.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2424.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,095 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Kansas City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault290
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery81
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary277
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,095
01.5x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft274
086% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Kansas City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kansas City
356.9
State
316.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kansas City
2424.8
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kansas City Safety

Is Kansas City safe?
Not especially. Kansas City earns a D- with a crime rate of 278.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Kansas City?
278.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 356.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2424.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Kansas City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Kansas City's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,095 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Kansas City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Kansas City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Kansas City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Kansas City?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Kansas City's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Kansas City compare to other cities in Kansas?
Below average for the state. Kansas City ranks behind about 93% of Kansas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Kansas City to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Kansas City?
Bad. A D- grade and 278.2 per-thousand rate put Kansas City below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 357 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Kansas City?
356.9 per 100,000, which is 2% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (290), robbery (81), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Kansas

Similar-sized communities in Kansas. Compare crime rates across the state.

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See crime rates in Overland Park203,677 pop · Grade C-
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See crime rates in Lawrence96,367 pop · Grade C-
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See crime rates in Shawnee69,848 pop · Grade C
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See crime rates in Lenexa60,506 pop · Grade D-
View all Kansas city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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