Is Joplin or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Joplin is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,681 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 13% 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: Springfield is 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Joplin, MO?
Joplin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joplin, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joplin | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,681.2 | 5,364.0 | -682.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 560.4 | 1,179.3 | -618.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 89.7 | 104.4 | -14.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.3 | 123.7 | -71.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 418.4 | 944.1 | -525.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,120.8 | 4,184.7 | -63.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 416.6 | 726.6 | -310.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,298.9 | 3,001.3 | +297.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 405.4 | 456.8 | -51.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joplin or Springfield safer?
Joplin is safer with a total crime rate of 4,681 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joplin has a violent crime rate of 560.4 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. 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 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.