Is Des Moines or Westminster Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Moines is safer than Westminster (Safety Score 10/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,831 per 100,000 versus 3,846 for Westminster — 0% lower. Des Moines has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Westminster has a 57% lower rate.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Westminster — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Westminster, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Westminster | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 3,845.7 | -14.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 305.3 | +399.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 5.3 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 42.9 | +8.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 80.5 | -5.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 175.0 | +397.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 3,540.4 | -413.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 349.1 | +113.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 2,467.0 | -325.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 724.4 | -202.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Westminster safer?
Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 3,831 per 100K vs 3,846 for Westminster — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Westminster has 305.3. Westminster 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 Westminster, CO
Westminster, Colorado, straddles Adams and Jefferson counties, known for its iconic Westminster City Hall, a replica of the British Parliament's clock tower. This northern Denver suburb has a population exceeding 116,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 114,310, Westminster has a total crime rate of 3,845.7 per 100,000 residents.