Is Des Moines or Fort Worth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Worth is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 17/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,158 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 18% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Moines has a 42% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 4.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Fort Worth, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Fort Worth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 3,158.5 | +672.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 458.7 | +246.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 7.4 | -3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 55.2 | -4.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 72.6 | +2.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 323.1 | +249.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 2,699.8 | +426.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 344.6 | +118.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 1,841.9 | +300.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 513.4 | +8.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Fort Worth safer?
Fort Worth is safer with a total crime rate of 3,158 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Fort Worth has 458.7. Fort Worth has lower violent crime.
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.
About Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, a city where the West begins, boasts a rich cattle drive history evident in the Stockyards National Historic District. Located in North Central Texas, it's a populous city within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 997,476, Fort Worth has a total crime rate of 3,158.5 per 100,000 residents.