Is Independence or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Independence is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 8/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,096 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 42% lower. Independence has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Independence has a 83% lower rate.
Note: St. Louis City is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Independence, MO
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Independence | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,095.8 | 7,075.9 | -2,980.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 572.0 | 1,368.9 | -796.9 |
| Murder Rate | 9.2 | 54.1 | -44.9 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 58.1 | +31.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.7 | 249.6 | -173.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 396.6 | 1,005.4 | -608.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,523.7 | 5,706.9 | -2,183.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 407.4 | 819.7 | -412.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,301.5 | 3,412.3 | -1,110.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 814.8 | 1,475.0 | -660.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Independence or St. Louis City safer?
Independence is safer with a total crime rate of 4,096 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Independence has a violent crime rate of 572.0 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. 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 St. Louis City, MO
St. Louis City, Missouri, a major port on the Mississippi River, is home to the iconic Gateway Arch. With a population exceeding 300,000, it's a vibrant Midwestern hub with a rich German heritage. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 277,294, St. Louis City has a total crime rate of 7,075.9 per 100,000 residents.