Is Des Moines or Spokane Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Moines is safer than Spokane (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100,000 versus 5,518 for Spokane — 43% lower. Des Moines has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Moines has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Spokane is 7.2x 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
Spokane — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, WA
Spokane, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Spokane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 5,518.3 | -2,372.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 677.5 | -380.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 7.0 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 76.7 | -48.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 145.1 | -41.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 446.1 | -285.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 4,840.8 | -1,991.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 646.5 | -432.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 3,668.8 | -1,741.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 525.4 | +181.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Spokane safer?
Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100K vs 5,518 for Spokane — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100K while Spokane has 677.5. 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 Spokane, WA
Spokane, the "Lilac City," sits on the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, near the Idaho border. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, its population is around 229,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 229,529, Spokane has a total crime rate of 5,518.3 per 100,000 residents.