Is Davenport or West Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Des Moines is safer than Davenport (Safety Score 44/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100,000 versus 4,123 for Davenport — 54% lower. Davenport has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Des Moines has a 100% lower rate.
Davenport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Des Moines — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Davenport, IA
West Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Davenport | West Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,123.1 | 1,879.1 | +2,244.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 582.4 | 165.0 | +417.4 |
| Murder Rate | 8.0 | 0.0 | +8.0 |
| Rape Rate | 108.1 | 21.8 | +86.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.1 | 12.3 | +52.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.3 | 130.9 | +269.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,540.6 | 1,714.1 | +1,826.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 653.5 | 114.5 | +538.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,555.9 | 1,471.4 | +1,084.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 331.3 | 128.2 | +203.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davenport or West Des Moines safer?
West Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100K vs 4,123 for Davenport — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Davenport has a violent crime rate of 582.4 per 100K while West Des Moines has 165.0. West Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Davenport, IA
Davenport, Iowa, one of the Quad Cities, sits on the Mississippi River's west bank. It's home to Palmer College of Chiropractic, the first chiropractic school. The city's population is diverse, with a notable Hispanic community. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 99,926, Davenport has a total crime rate of 4,123.1 per 100,000 residents.
About West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines is a vibrant suburb of Iowa's capital, known for its strong financial sector and Jordan Creek Town Center. This affluent community, once a railway stop, lies just west of Des Moines, primarily in Polk County. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 73,334, West Des Moines has a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents.