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 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100,000 versus 3,146 for Des Moines — 3% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Moines has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 54.2x 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, WA
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Las Vegas Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 3,052.7 | +93.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 430.0 | -133.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 6.2 | -3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 51.6 | -23.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 64.8 | +39.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 307.2 | -146.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 2,622.7 | +226.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 461.5 | -247.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 1,564.5 | +363.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 596.7 | +110.1 |
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 3,146 for Des Moines — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100K while Las Vegas Metro has 430.0. Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, WA
Des Moines, Washington, a Puget Sound city, was once a popular resort town. Today, its waterfront views and proximity to Seattle attract a diverse population. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 31,694, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,145.7 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.