Lawrence, KS Crime Rate & Safety

Lawrence, KS has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 33% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 382 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 65 chance for property crime. Lawrence has lower crime than 67% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Lawrence is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 35 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Western Hills is one of the safest areas, while Brook Creek has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lawrence is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Lawrence are Western Hills, South Siders, Scenic Riverway, Briarwood, and Gateway. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Lawrence include Brook Creek, Indian Hills, Pinckney, Prairie Meadows, and East Lawrence. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Lawrence is 262.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 31% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 382 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (28% below average); aggravated assault at 180.7 per 100K (33% below average); robbery at 54.2 per 100K (27% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Lawrence is 1,545.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 65 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 188.9 per 100K (30% below average); larceny/theft at 1,102.0 per 100K (21% below average); vehicle theft at 254.8 per 100K (20% below average).

Lawrence's overall crime rate is 33% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (20% below average), while assault is 33% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lawrence has lower crime than 67% of them.

Lawrence is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 16% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Western Hills, South Siders, Scenic Riverway.

Kansas as a whole has crime that is 17% above the national average. Lawrence's crime rate is 33% below the national average, making it safer the typical Kansas city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lawrence, with an estimated rate of 1,102.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 21% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,546 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (262 per 100K) in Lawrence, which is consistent with national trends.