Is Belton or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Belton is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 35/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 65% lower. Belton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Belton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 19.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Belton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belton, MO
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belton | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,206.6 | 6,224.4 | -4,017.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 333.9 | 1,547.4 | -1,213.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 27.6 | -27.6 |
| Rape Rate | 76.8 | 74.7 | +2.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.1 | 254.0 | -207.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 211.1 | 1,191.2 | -980.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,872.8 | 4,677.0 | -2,804.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.3 | 490.4 | -402.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,592.6 | 2,454.9 | -862.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 191.9 | 1,731.8 | -1,539.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belton or Kansas City safer?
Belton is safer with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belton has a violent crime rate of 333.9 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Belton has lower violent crime.
About Belton, MO
Belton, Missouri, a city in Cass County, grew with the arrival of the Kansas City Southern Railway. It's home to roughly 24,000 residents, situated south of Kansas City. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 26,058, Belton has a total crime rate of 2,206.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, straddles the Missouri River and is known for its distinct barbecue style. It's the largest city in Missouri by population, with a diverse metropolitan area. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 511,437, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 6,224.4 per 100,000 residents.