Is Clinton or Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Clinton is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 18/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,086 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 19% lower. Clinton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Clinton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 8.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Clinton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Clinton, IA
Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Clinton | Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,086.3 | 3,831.4 | -745.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.9 | 704.9 | -345.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.3 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 66.2 | 51.1 | +15.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.0 | 75.0 | -46.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 264.8 | 572.5 | -307.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,726.4 | 3,126.5 | -400.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 451.0 | 462.6 | -11.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,068.6 | 2,142.0 | -73.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 206.9 | 521.9 | -315.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clinton or Des Moines safer?
Clinton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,086 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Clinton has a violent crime rate of 359.9 per 100K while Des Moines has 704.9. Clinton has lower violent crime.
About Clinton, IA
Nestled on the Mississippi River, Clinton, Iowa, was once a major lumber producer. This city of under 25,000 residents lies directly across from Fulton, Illinois. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 24,171, Clinton has a total crime rate of 3,086.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 per 100,000 residents.