Is Fulton or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fulton is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 63/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,295 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 76% lower. Fulton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fulton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 13.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fulton — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fulton, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fulton | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,295.2 | 5,364.0 | -4,068.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 209.2 | 1,179.3 | -970.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 16.1 | 104.4 | -88.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.1 | 123.7 | -107.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 177.0 | 944.1 | -767.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,086.0 | 4,184.7 | -3,098.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 120.7 | 726.6 | -605.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 852.7 | 3,001.3 | -2,148.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 112.6 | 456.8 | -344.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fulton or Springfield safer?
Fulton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,295 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fulton has a violent crime rate of 209.2 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Fulton has lower violent crime.
About Fulton, MO
Fulton, Missouri, home to William Woods University, sits in Callaway County. This small city, with a population around 12,000, is known for its historic Westminster College, where Winston Churchill gave his "Iron Curtain" speech. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 12,431, Fulton has a total crime rate of 1,295.2 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.