Is Fort Worth or West Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Des Moines is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 44/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 41% lower. Fort Worth has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Des Moines has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 13.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Worth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Des Moines — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth, TX
West Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Worth | West Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,158.5 | 1,879.1 | +1,279.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 458.7 | 165.0 | +293.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 0.0 | +7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 55.2 | 21.8 | +33.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.6 | 12.3 | +60.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 323.1 | 130.9 | +192.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,699.8 | 1,714.1 | +985.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 344.6 | 114.5 | +230.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.9 | 1,471.4 | +370.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 513.4 | 128.2 | +385.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or West Des Moines safer?
West Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Worth has a violent crime rate of 458.7 per 100K while West Des Moines has 165.0. West Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, a city where the West begins, boasts a rich cattle drive history evident in the Stockyards National Historic District. Located in North Central Texas, it's a populous city within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 997,476, Fort Worth has a total crime rate of 3,158.5 per 100,000 residents.
About West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines is a vibrant suburb of Iowa's capital, known for its strong financial sector and Jordan Creek Town Center. This affluent community, once a railway stop, lies just west of Des Moines, primarily in Polk County. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 73,334, West Des Moines has a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents.