Is Jefferson City or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jefferson City is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 31/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 62% lower. Jefferson City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Jefferson City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 12.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Jefferson City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jefferson City, MO
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jefferson City | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,373.1 | 6,224.4 | -3,851.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 333.6 | 1,547.4 | -1,213.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 27.6 | -27.6 |
| Rape Rate | 94.0 | 74.7 | +19.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.5 | 254.0 | -223.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 209.1 | 1,191.2 | -982.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,039.4 | 4,677.0 | -2,637.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 141.0 | 490.4 | -349.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,788.0 | 2,454.9 | -666.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 110.4 | 1,731.8 | -1,621.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jefferson City or Kansas City safer?
Jefferson City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jefferson City has a violent crime rate of 333.6 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Jefferson City has lower violent crime.
About Jefferson City, MO
Nestled on the Missouri River bluffs, Jefferson City is Missouri's state capital, home to the imposing Capitol building. This mid-sized city, with a population around 43,000, sits roughly in the center of the state. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 42,561, Jefferson City has a total crime rate of 2,373.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, straddles the Missouri River and is known for its distinct barbecue style. It's the largest city in Missouri by population, with a diverse metropolitan area. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 511,437, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 6,224.4 per 100,000 residents.