Is Fort Worth or West Plains Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Plains is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 31% lower. Fort Worth has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Plains has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 78.3x 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 Plains — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth, TX
West Plains, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Worth | West Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,158.5 | 2,167.4 | +991.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 458.7 | 361.2 | +97.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 0.0 | +7.4 |
| Rape Rate | 55.2 | 86.4 | -31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.6 | 23.6 | +49.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 323.1 | 251.3 | +71.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,699.8 | 1,806.2 | +893.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 344.6 | 180.6 | +164.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.9 | 1,476.4 | +365.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 513.4 | 149.2 | +364.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or West Plains safer?
West Plains is safer with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Worth has a violent crime rate of 458.7 per 100K while West Plains has 361.2. West Plains 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 Plains, MO
West Plains, Missouri, the "Gateway to the Ozarks," is a south-central Missouri town known for its historic Houck's Mill. This Howell County seat serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,734, West Plains has a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents.