Is Branson or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Springfield is safer than Branson (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,364 per 100,000 versus 6,494 for Branson — 17% lower. Branson has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Branson has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 13.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Branson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Branson, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Branson | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,493.6 | 5,364.0 | +1,129.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 477.6 | 1,179.3 | -701.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 84.7 | 104.4 | -19.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.2 | 123.7 | -77.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 346.6 | 944.1 | -597.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,016.0 | 4,184.7 | +1,831.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 215.7 | 726.6 | -510.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,461.4 | 3,001.3 | +2,460.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 338.9 | 456.8 | -117.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Branson or Springfield safer?
Springfield is safer with a total crime rate of 5,364 per 100K vs 6,494 for Branson — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Branson has a violent crime rate of 477.6 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Branson has lower violent crime.
About Branson, MO
Branson, a popular Midwest tourist destination, is known for its live entertainment theaters, attracting millions of visitors annually. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Taney County, it's a small city with a significant transient population. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 12,982, Branson has a total crime rate of 6,493.6 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.