Is Jefferson City or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jefferson City is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 31/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 56% 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: Springfield is 4.0x 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
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jefferson City, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jefferson City | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,373.1 | 5,364.0 | -2,990.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 333.6 | 1,179.3 | -845.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 94.0 | 104.4 | -10.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.5 | 123.7 | -93.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 209.1 | 944.1 | -735.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,039.4 | 4,184.7 | -2,145.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 141.0 | 726.6 | -585.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,788.0 | 3,001.3 | -1,213.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 110.4 | 456.8 | -346.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jefferson City or Springfield safer?
Jefferson City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jefferson City has a violent crime rate of 333.6 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. 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 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.