Is Cape Girardeau or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cape Girardeau is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 18/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 56% 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: St. Louis City is 6.8x 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
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cape Girardeau, MO
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cape Girardeau | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,079.5 | 7,075.9 | -3,996.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 623.3 | 1,368.9 | -745.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 54.1 | -46.7 |
| Rape Rate | 51.5 | 58.1 | -6.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.9 | 249.6 | -217.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 532.5 | 1,005.4 | -473.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.3 | 5,706.9 | -3,250.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.9 | 819.7 | -522.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,931.2 | 3,412.3 | -1,481.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.2 | 1,475.0 | -1,246.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau or St. Louis City safer?
Cape Girardeau is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cape Girardeau has a violent crime rate of 623.3 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. 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 St. Louis City, MO
St. Louis City, Missouri, a major port on the Mississippi River, is home to the iconic Gateway Arch. With a population exceeding 300,000, it's a vibrant Midwestern hub with a rich German heritage. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 277,294, St. Louis City has a total crime rate of 7,075.9 per 100,000 residents.