Is Independence or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Independence is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,096 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 24% lower. Independence has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Independence has a 51% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Independence, MO?
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Independence, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Independence | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,095.8 | 5,364.0 | -1,268.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 572.0 | 1,179.3 | -607.3 |
| Murder Rate | 9.2 | 5.9 | +3.3 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 104.4 | -14.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.7 | 123.7 | -48.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 396.6 | 944.1 | -547.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,523.7 | 4,184.7 | -661.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 407.4 | 726.6 | -319.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,301.5 | 3,001.3 | -699.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 814.8 | 456.8 | +358.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Independence or Springfield safer?
Independence is safer with a total crime rate of 4,096 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Independence has a violent crime rate of 572.0 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Independence has lower violent crime.
About Independence, MO
Independence, Missouri, a city of about 120,000 residents, is historically significant as the starting point of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails. Located just east of Kansas City, it's a prominent suburb with a rich past. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 120,271, Independence has a total crime rate of 4,095.8 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.