Is Kansas City or West Plains Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Plains is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 36/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 65% lower. Kansas City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Plains has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Kansas City is 40.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Plains — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City, MO
West Plains, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kansas City | West Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,224.4 | 2,167.4 | +4,057.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,547.4 | 361.2 | +1,186.2 |
| Murder Rate | 27.6 | 0.0 | +27.6 |
| Rape Rate | 74.7 | 86.4 | -11.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 254.0 | 23.6 | +230.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,191.2 | 251.3 | +939.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,677.0 | 1,806.2 | +2,870.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 490.4 | 180.6 | +309.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,454.9 | 1,476.4 | +978.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,731.8 | 149.2 | +1,582.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas City or West Plains safer?
West Plains is safer with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kansas City has a violent crime rate of 1,547.4 per 100K while West Plains has 361.2. West Plains 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 West Plains, MO
West Plains, Missouri, the "Gateway to the Ozarks," is a south-central Missouri town known for its historic Houck's Mill. This Howell County seat serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,734, West Plains has a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents.