Is Des Moines or Las Vegas Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Las Vegas Metro is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 19/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 20% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Las Vegas Metro has a 39% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 8.2x 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
Las Vegas Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Las Vegas Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 3,052.7 | +778.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 430.0 | +274.9 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 6.2 | -1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 51.6 | -0.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 64.8 | +10.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 307.2 | +265.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 2,622.7 | +503.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 461.5 | +1.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 1,564.5 | +577.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 596.7 | -74.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Las Vegas Metro safer?
Las Vegas Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Las Vegas Metro has 430.0. Las Vegas Metro 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 Las Vegas Metro, NV
Las Vegas Metro encompasses the vibrant Entertainment Capital of the World, a city that sprung from a railroad stop in the Mojave Desert. Its population of over 2.3 million is a diverse mix, drawn to its unique blend of resort tourism and burgeoning tech industries. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 1,716,565, Las Vegas Metro has a total crime rate of 3,052.7 per 100,000 residents.