Is Ames or Las Vegas Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ames is safer than Las Vegas Metro (Safety Score 51/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100,000 versus 3,053 for Las Vegas Metro — 46% lower. Ames has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ames has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 26.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ames — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Vegas Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ames, IA
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ames | Las Vegas Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,653.8 | 3,052.7 | -1,398.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 148.3 | 430.0 | -281.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.2 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 70.3 | 51.6 | +18.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.6 | 64.8 | -57.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 70.3 | 307.2 | -236.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,505.5 | 2,622.7 | -1,117.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 172.7 | 461.5 | -288.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,244.2 | 1,564.5 | -320.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.7 | 596.7 | -508.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ames or Las Vegas Metro safer?
Ames is safer with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100K vs 3,053 for Las Vegas Metro — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ames has a violent crime rate of 148.3 per 100K while Las Vegas Metro has 430.0. Ames has lower violent crime.
About Ames, IA
Ames, Iowa, home to Iowa State University, is a city in Story County. This community in central Iowa has a significant student population, contributing to its vibrant academic atmosphere. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 65,426, Ames has a total crime rate of 1,653.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Las Vegas Metro, NV
Las Vegas Metro encompasses the vibrant Entertainment Capital of the World, a city that sprung from a railroad stop in the Mojave Desert. Its population of over 2.3 million is a diverse mix, drawn to its unique blend of resort tourism and burgeoning tech industries. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 1,716,565, Las Vegas Metro has a total crime rate of 3,052.7 per 100,000 residents.