Is Belton or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Belton is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 35/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 59% 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: Springfield is 6.5x 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
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belton, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belton | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,206.6 | 5,364.0 | -3,157.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 333.9 | 1,179.3 | -845.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 76.8 | 104.4 | -27.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.1 | 123.7 | -77.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 211.1 | 944.1 | -733.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,872.8 | 4,184.7 | -2,311.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.3 | 726.6 | -638.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,592.6 | 3,001.3 | -1,408.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 191.9 | 456.8 | -264.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belton or Springfield safer?
Belton is safer with a total crime rate of 2,207 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belton has a violent crime rate of 333.9 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. 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 Springfield, MO
Springfield, MO, "Queen City of the Ozarks," is a regional hub in southwest Missouri. Home to Bass Pro Shops' first store, it's a growing metropolitan area with a population of over 169,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 170,527, Springfield has a total crime rate of 5,364.0 per 100,000 residents.