Is Carthage or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carthage is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 58/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 73% lower. Carthage has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Carthage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 11.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carthage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carthage, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carthage | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,459.9 | 5,364.0 | -3,904.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 1,179.3 | -1,005.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 25.7 | 104.4 | -78.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 123.7 | -123.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 147.9 | 944.1 | -796.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,286.3 | 4,184.7 | -2,898.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.4 | 726.6 | -572.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,029.0 | 3,001.3 | -1,972.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 102.9 | 456.8 | -353.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carthage or Springfield safer?
Carthage is safer with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carthage has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Carthage has lower violent crime.
About Carthage, MO
Carthage, Missouri, known as "America's Maple Leaf City," sits in Jasper County. This city of over 15,000 residents is home to the historic Jasper County Courthouse, built with local Carthage stone. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 15,549, Carthage has a total crime rate of 1,459.9 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.