Is Des Moines or Newton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 47/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 54% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 13.4x 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
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Newton, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Newton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 1,774.4 | +2,057.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 384.3 | +320.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 0.0 | +4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 89.7 | -38.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 25.6 | +49.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 269.0 | +303.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 1,390.1 | +1,736.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 249.8 | +212.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 1,076.2 | +1,065.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 64.1 | +457.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Newton safer?
Newton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Newton has 384.3. Newton 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 Newton, IA
Newton, Iowa, a city in Jasper County, is known as the former home of Maytag. Located east of Des Moines, its population was 15,760 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 15,611, Newton has a total crime rate of 1,774.4 per 100,000 residents.