Is Des Moines or Waterloo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waterloo is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 21/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,921 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 24% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waterloo has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Des Moines is 3.2x 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
Waterloo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Waterloo, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Waterloo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 2,920.8 | +910.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 476.0 | +228.9 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 4.5 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 39.2 | +12.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 34.7 | +40.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 397.7 | +174.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 2,444.8 | +681.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 586.0 | -123.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 1,658.5 | +483.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 200.4 | +321.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Waterloo safer?
Waterloo is safer with a total crime rate of 2,921 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Waterloo has 476.0. Waterloo 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 Waterloo, IA
Waterloo, Iowa, a city in Black Hawk County, was once a hub for the Illinois Central Railroad. Situated along the Cedar River, its population is diverse, with a notable African American community. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 66,385, Waterloo has a total crime rate of 2,920.8 per 100,000 residents.