Is Des Moines or North Liberty Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, North Liberty is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 93/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 467 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 88% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where North Liberty has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 9.7x 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
North Liberty — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
North Liberty, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | North Liberty | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 466.8 | +3,364.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 69.3 | +635.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 0.0 | +4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 18.5 | +32.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 0.0 | +75.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 50.8 | +521.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 397.5 | +2,729.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 92.4 | +370.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 268.1 | +1,873.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 37.0 | +484.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or North Liberty safer?
North Liberty is safer with a total crime rate of 467 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while North Liberty has 69.3. North Liberty 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 North Liberty, IA
North Liberty, Iowa, a rapidly growing community in Johnson County, was founded in 1855. Situated along the Iowa River, it's known for its suburban development and proximity to the University of Iowa. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 21,635, North Liberty has a total crime rate of 466.8 per 100,000 residents.