Moving from Des Moines, WA to Seattle, WA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Des Moines, WA or Seattle, WA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Des Moines, WA is safer than Seattle, WA (Safety Score 17/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle, WA — 46% lower. Des Moines has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Moines has a 62% lower rate.
Note: Seattle is 24.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Des Moines, WA?
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, WA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 5,783.1 | -2,637.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 775.5 | -478.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 6.8 | -3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 46.3 | -17.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 220.6 | -116.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 501.3 | -340.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 5,007.6 | -2,158.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 1,152.0 | -937.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 2,882.0 | -954.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 973.6 | -266.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Des Moines, WA to Seattle, WA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Seattle safer?
Des Moines, WA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle, WA — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. 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 Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.