Is Des Moines or Johnston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Johnston is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 81/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 826 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 78% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Johnston has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 8.4x 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
Johnston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Johnston, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Johnston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 826.0 | +3,005.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 76.6 | +628.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 4.0 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 12.1 | +39.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 8.1 | +67.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 52.4 | +520.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 749.4 | +2,377.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 76.6 | +386.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 527.8 | +1,614.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 145.1 | +376.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Johnston safer?
Johnston is safer with a total crime rate of 826 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Johnston has 76.6. Johnston 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 Johnston, IA
Johnston, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a major agricultural research company. Situated in Polk County, it boasts a growing population with a median age of around 38. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 24,819, Johnston has a total crime rate of 826.0 per 100,000 residents.