Is Burlington or Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burlington is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 34/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 42% lower. Burlington has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Burlington has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 8.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burlington, IA
Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burlington | Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,239.4 | 3,831.4 | -1,592.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 413.8 | 704.9 | -291.2 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 4.3 | +4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 51.1 | -12.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.1 | 75.0 | -58.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 349.8 | 572.5 | -222.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,825.6 | 3,126.5 | -1,300.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.0 | 462.6 | -189.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,356.4 | 2,142.0 | -785.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 196.2 | 521.9 | -325.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington or Des Moines safer?
Burlington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 413.8 per 100K while Des Moines has 704.9. Burlington has lower violent crime.
About Burlington, IA
Burlington, Iowa, a historic Mississippi River town, was once the state's first capital. Located in Des Moines County, its population is approximately 23,000. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 23,444, Burlington has a total crime rate of 2,239.4 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.