Is Des Moines or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,146 for Des Moines — 3% lower. Des Moines has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Moines has a 56% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 261.9x 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
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, WA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 3,039.7 | +106.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 671.4 | -374.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 3.9 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 23.4 | +5.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 187.5 | -83.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 456.2 | -295.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 2,368.3 | +480.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 154.7 | +59.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 2,015.0 | -87.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 198.5 | +508.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 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 New York City has 671.4. 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 New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.