Is Colorado Springs or Sterling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sterling is safer than Colorado Springs (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,319 per 100,000 versus 4,167 for Colorado Springs — 20% lower. Colorado Springs has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sterling has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Colorado Springs is 38.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Colorado Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sterling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Colorado Springs, CO
Sterling, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Colorado Springs | Sterling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,167.1 | 3,318.8 | +848.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 718.3 | 398.3 | +320.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.7 | 0.0 | +7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 101.3 | 31.2 | +70.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.5 | 7.8 | +69.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 529.0 | 359.2 | +169.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,448.8 | 2,920.5 | +528.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 529.8 | 413.9 | +116.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,227.4 | 2,311.4 | -84.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 691.6 | 195.2 | +496.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Sterling safer?
Sterling is safer with a total crime rate of 3,319 per 100K vs 4,167 for Colorado Springs — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Colorado Springs has a violent crime rate of 718.3 per 100K while Sterling has 398.3. Sterling has lower violent crime.
About Colorado Springs, CO
Nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is a city with a strong military presence, home to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Its population of over 480,000 residents enjoys a high desert climate. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 491,474, Colorado Springs has a total crime rate of 4,167.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Sterling, CO
Sterling, Colorado, a plains town and the county seat of Logan County, was founded in 1881 as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad. It is home to Northeastern Junior College, serving a rural population in northeastern Colorado. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 12,806, Sterling has a total crime rate of 3,318.8 per 100,000 residents.