Is Cape Girardeau or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cape Girardeau is safer than Lake Charles (Safety Score 18/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 3,083 for Lake Charles — 0% lower. Cape Girardeau has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cape Girardeau has a 56% lower rate.
Cape Girardeau — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cape Girardeau, MO
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cape Girardeau | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,079.5 | 3,082.8 | -3.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 623.3 | 613.0 | +10.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 16.7 | -9.3 |
| Rape Rate | 51.5 | 52.6 | -1.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.9 | 64.1 | -32.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 532.5 | 479.6 | +52.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.3 | 2,469.8 | -13.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.9 | 613.0 | -316.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,931.2 | 1,651.7 | +279.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.2 | 205.2 | +23.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau or Lake Charles safer?
Cape Girardeau is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 3,083 for Lake Charles — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cape Girardeau has a violent crime rate of 623.3 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.