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D

Is East Lansing, Michigan Safe?

Population 49,355 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

East Lansing has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 271.4 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,810 per 100K.

East Lansing Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricEast LansingMichigan AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate312.2330.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2401.52014.41,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate245.0--268.2
Theft Rate1810.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate224.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

271.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

312/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2402/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for East Lansing

Violent crime in East Lansing is close to the national average. The rate of 312.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2401.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,810 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

East Lansing Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault245
091% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery44
070% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary323
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,810
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft224
070% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How East Lansing Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

East Lansing
312.2
State
330.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

East Lansing
2401.5
State
2014.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About East Lansing Safety

Is East Lansing safe?
Not especially. East Lansing earns a D with a crime rate of 271.4 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 East Lansing?
271.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 312.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2401.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is East Lansing safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. East Lansing's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,810 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in East Lansing?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in East Lansing generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the East Lansing police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in East Lansing?
Yes, there's been an uptick. East Lansing's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does East Lansing compare to other cities in Michigan?
Below average for the state. East Lansing ranks behind about 80% of Michigan cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is East Lansing 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 East Lansing?
Bad. A D grade and 271.4 per-thousand rate put East Lansing below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 312 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in East Lansing?
312.2 per 100,000, which is 14% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (245), robbery (44), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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View all Michigan 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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