Is Kansas City or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kansas City is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 1/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 6,224 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 12% lower. Kansas City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Kansas City has a 49% lower rate.
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City, MO
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kansas City | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,224.4 | 7,075.9 | -851.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,547.4 | 1,368.9 | +178.5 |
| Murder Rate | 27.6 | 54.1 | -26.5 |
| Rape Rate | 74.7 | 58.1 | +16.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 254.0 | 249.6 | +4.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,191.2 | 1,005.4 | +185.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,677.0 | 5,706.9 | -1,029.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 490.4 | 819.7 | -329.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,454.9 | 3,412.3 | -957.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,731.8 | 1,475.0 | +256.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas City or St. Louis City safer?
Kansas City is safer with a total crime rate of 6,224 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kansas City has a violent crime rate of 1,547.4 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. St. Louis City has lower violent crime.
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.
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.