Is Joplin or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joplin is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 5/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,681 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 25% lower. Joplin has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joplin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 9.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Joplin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joplin, MO
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joplin | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,681.2 | 6,224.4 | -1,543.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 560.4 | 1,547.4 | -987.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 27.6 | -27.6 |
| Rape Rate | 89.7 | 74.7 | +15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.3 | 254.0 | -201.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 418.4 | 1,191.2 | -772.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,120.8 | 4,677.0 | -556.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 416.6 | 490.4 | -73.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,298.9 | 2,454.9 | +844.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 405.4 | 1,731.8 | -1,326.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joplin or Kansas City safer?
Joplin is safer with a total crime rate of 4,681 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joplin has a violent crime rate of 560.4 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Joplin has lower violent crime.
About Joplin, MO
Joplin, a city along historic Route 66, sits in Missouri's southwestern corner. Its economy has historically been tied to lead and zinc mining. The population is around 50,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 53,533, Joplin has a total crime rate of 4,681.2 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.