Is Carthage or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carthage is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 58/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 79% 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: St. Louis City is 17.8x 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
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carthage, MO
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carthage | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,459.9 | 7,075.9 | -5,616.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 1,368.9 | -1,195.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 54.1 | -54.1 |
| Rape Rate | 25.7 | 58.1 | -32.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 249.6 | -249.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 147.9 | 1,005.4 | -857.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,286.3 | 5,706.9 | -4,420.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.4 | 819.7 | -665.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,029.0 | 3,412.3 | -2,383.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 102.9 | 1,475.0 | -1,372.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carthage or St. Louis City safer?
Carthage is safer with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carthage has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. 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 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.