Is Hobbs or St. Joseph Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hobbs is safer than St. Joseph (Safety Score 5/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,544 per 100,000 versus 4,579 for St. Joseph — 1% lower. Hobbs has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where St. Joseph has a 79% lower rate.
Hobbs — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Joseph — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hobbs, NM
St. Joseph, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hobbs | St. Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,544.3 | 4,579.5 | -35.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 792.9 | 728.6 | +64.3 |
| Murder Rate | 20.5 | 4.3 | +16.3 |
| Rape Rate | 66.7 | 178.2 | -111.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.3 | 54.2 | -2.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 651.8 | 491.9 | +159.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,751.4 | 3,850.9 | -99.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 869.9 | 536.1 | +333.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,512.1 | 2,774.5 | -262.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 369.5 | 540.4 | -170.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hobbs or St. Joseph safer?
Hobbs is safer with a total crime rate of 4,544 per 100K vs 4,579 for St. Joseph — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hobbs has a violent crime rate of 792.9 per 100K while St. Joseph has 728.6. St. Joseph has lower violent crime.
About Hobbs, NM
Hobbs, New Mexico, a city founded on the oil industry, sits in the southeastern corner of the state, near the Texas border. It's the largest community in Lea County, with a diverse, growing population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 38,972, Hobbs has a total crime rate of 4,544.3 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, Missouri, a city on the Missouri River, was the starting point of the Pony Express. This Buchanan County seat is located across from Kansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 70,139, St. Joseph has a total crime rate of 4,579.5 per 100,000 residents.