Is Des Moines or Santa Cruz Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Cruz is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 17/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100,000 versus 3,146 for Des Moines — 1% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Moines has a 52% lower rate.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Cruz — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, WA
Santa Cruz, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Santa Cruz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 3,128.2 | +17.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 612.9 | -316.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 4.9 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 42.4 | -14.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 102.7 | +1.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 463.0 | -302.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 2,515.2 | +333.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 135.3 | +79.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 2,221.8 | -294.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 158.1 | +548.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Santa Cruz safer?
Santa Cruz is safer with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100K vs 3,146 for Des Moines — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100K while Santa Cruz has 612.9. 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 Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, California, a coastal city known for its historic Beach Boardwalk, sits on Monterey Bay. It's home to a significant student population, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 61,346, Santa Cruz has a total crime rate of 3,128.2 per 100,000 residents.