Is Ferguson or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ferguson is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 7/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,211 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 32% lower. Ferguson has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Ferguson has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 28.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ferguson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferguson, MO
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferguson | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,210.8 | 6,224.4 | -2,013.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 712.1 | 1,547.4 | -835.3 |
| Murder Rate | 33.6 | 27.6 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 74.7 | -46.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 123.4 | 254.0 | -130.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 527.1 | 1,191.2 | -664.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,498.7 | 4,677.0 | -1,178.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 555.1 | 490.4 | +64.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,040.9 | 2,454.9 | -413.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 902.7 | 1,731.8 | -829.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferguson or Kansas City safer?
Ferguson is safer with a total crime rate of 4,211 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferguson has a violent crime rate of 712.1 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Ferguson has lower violent crime.
About Ferguson, MO
Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, has a rich history rooted in its founding in 1894 as a railroad stop. Today, its diverse population of around 18,000 residents reflects a community with a median age in the early 30s. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 17,835, Ferguson has a total crime rate of 4,210.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, straddles the Missouri River and is known for its distinct barbecue style. It's the largest city in Missouri by population, with a diverse metropolitan area. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 511,437, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 6,224.4 per 100,000 residents.