| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Kansas City/100k people | Kansas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 7,137 | n/a (estimate) | 4,654 | 2,395 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 19 | n/a | 12.4 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 104 | n/a | 67.8 | 44.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 144 | n/a | 93.9 | 30.9 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,339 | n/a | 873.1 | 359.9 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,606 | n/a (estimate) | 1,047 | 439 | 359 |
| Burglary | 679 | n/a | 442.7 | 261.6 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 3,484 | n/a | 2,271.7 | 1,458.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,368 | n/a | 892.0 | 236.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 5,531 | n/a (estimate) | 3,606 | 1,956 | 1,760 |
The Kansas City crime rates are 119.6% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 1606 violent crimes in Kansas City (1047 per 100,000 people), which is 191.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 5531 property crimes (3606 per 100,000 residents) which is 104.9% higher than average.
Kansas City has a crime rate of 4654 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 119.6%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Kansas City. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
Kansas City ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1047 per 100,000 people, Kansas City is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 96 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Kansas City, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Kansas City ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Kansas City, there were a total of 19 murders, translating to 12 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Kansas City has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3606 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Kansas City is 1 in 28, which is far higher than the national average.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Kansas City ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 1368 vehicle thefts, amounting to 892 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Kansas City within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 113.
AreaVibes surveyed 67 local residents in Kansas City to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 24% of people answered that there was very little crime in Kansas City and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 76% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
To determine if Kansas City is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Kansas City has a total crime rate that is 120% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 19.55 daily crimes (4.4 violent daily crimes and 15.15 daily property crimes) in Kansas City.
In Kansas City, the poverty rate currently stands at 19.2%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Kansas City crime rates.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Kansas City crime rates. The population density in Kansas City is 1252.5 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
In Kansas City, the cost of living is 16.88% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Kansas City | Kansas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 433 | 5,262 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.9 | 2.5 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Kansas /100K | National /100K |
| Kansas | 9,632 | 349 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Oakview, MO | 455 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Platte Woods, MO | 586 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lake Quivira, KS | 1,119 | 62 | 275 | 336 |
| Weatherby Lake, MO | 2,562 | 72 | 304 | 377 |
| Fairway, KS | 4,086 | 144 | 385 | 530 |
| Lansing, KS | 12,363 | 152 | 597 | 749 |
| Parkville, MO | 7,398 | 117 | 736 | 853 |
| Kansas City, KS | 156,337 | 1,047 | 3,606 | 4,654 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Pomona, CA | 156,853 | 716 | 2,753 | 3,469 |
| Springfield, MA | 156,858 | 891 | 2,836 | 3,727 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 157,266 | 245 | 1,909 | 2,154 |
| Hollywood, FL | 157,605 | 209 | 1,114 | 1,323 |
| Pasadena, TX | 157,942 | 566 | 2,352 | 2,918 |
| Kansas City, KS | 156,337 | 1,047 | 3,606 | 4,654 |
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