Is Council Bluffs or Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Council Bluffs is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 21/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 25% lower. Council Bluffs has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Council Bluffs has a 40% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 3.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Council Bluffs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Council Bluffs, IA
Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Council Bluffs | Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,873.0 | 3,831.4 | -958.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 420.8 | 704.9 | -284.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 4.3 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 72.3 | 51.1 | +21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.7 | 75.0 | -4.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 274.6 | 572.5 | -297.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,452.3 | 3,126.5 | -674.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 486.6 | 462.6 | +24.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,634.8 | 2,142.0 | -507.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 330.8 | 521.9 | -191.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Council Bluffs or Des Moines safer?
Council Bluffs is safer with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Council Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 420.8 per 100K while Des Moines has 704.9. Council Bluffs has lower violent crime.
About Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, was a pivotal starting point for the Mormon Trail. This city of over 62,000 residents in Pottawattamie County has a rich railway history. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 62,269, Council Bluffs has a total crime rate of 2,873.0 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.