Is Ferguson or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ferguson is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 7/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,211 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 21% lower. Ferguson has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Springfield has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 9.6x 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 Ferguson, MO?
Ferguson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferguson, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferguson | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,210.8 | 5,364.0 | -1,153.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 712.1 | 1,179.3 | -467.2 |
| Murder Rate | 33.6 | 5.9 | +27.8 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 104.4 | -76.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 123.4 | 123.7 | -0.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 527.1 | 944.1 | -417.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,498.7 | 4,184.7 | -685.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 555.1 | 726.6 | -171.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,040.9 | 3,001.3 | -960.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 902.7 | 456.8 | +445.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferguson or Springfield safer?
Ferguson is safer with a total crime rate of 4,211 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferguson has a violent crime rate of 712.1 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. 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 Springfield, MO
Springfield, MO, "Queen City of the Ozarks," is a regional hub in southwest Missouri. Home to Bass Pro Shops' first store, it's a growing metropolitan area with a population of over 169,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 170,527, Springfield has a total crime rate of 5,364.0 per 100,000 residents.