Is Cape Girardeau or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cape Girardeau is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 18/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 51% lower. Cape Girardeau has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cape Girardeau has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 12.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cape Girardeau — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cape Girardeau, MO
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cape Girardeau | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,079.5 | 6,224.4 | -3,144.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 623.3 | 1,547.4 | -924.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 27.6 | -20.2 |
| Rape Rate | 51.5 | 74.7 | -23.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.9 | 254.0 | -222.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 532.5 | 1,191.2 | -658.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.3 | 4,677.0 | -2,220.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.9 | 490.4 | -193.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,931.2 | 2,454.9 | -523.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.2 | 1,731.8 | -1,503.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau or Kansas City safer?
Cape Girardeau is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cape Girardeau has a violent crime rate of 623.3 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Cape Girardeau has lower violent crime.
About Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a city on the Mississippi River, is home to Southeast Missouri State University. Its historic downtown features a vibrant arts scene and overlooks the river, which forms the eastern border of Missouri. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 40,753, Cape Girardeau has a total crime rate of 3,079.5 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.