Is Altoona or Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Altoona is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 36/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 44% lower. Altoona has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Altoona has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 9.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Altoona — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Altoona, IA
Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Altoona | Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,154.1 | 3,831.4 | -1,677.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 142.7 | 704.9 | -562.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.3 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 51.1 | -42.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 75.0 | -61.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.4 | 572.5 | -452.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,011.4 | 3,126.5 | -1,115.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 116.0 | 462.6 | -346.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,775.0 | 2,142.0 | -367.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.4 | 521.9 | -401.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altoona or Des Moines safer?
Altoona is safer with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Altoona has a violent crime rate of 142.7 per 100K while Des Moines has 704.9. Altoona has lower violent crime.
About Altoona, IA
Altoona, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Adventureland Park. This growing city in Polk County has a population of over 20,000. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 22,422, Altoona has a total crime rate of 2,154.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 per 100,000 residents.