Is Ozark or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ozark is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 83/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 764 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 86% lower. Ozark has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ozark has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 7.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ozark — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ozark, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ozark | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 763.9 | 5,364.0 | -4,600.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 81.1 | 1,179.3 | -1,098.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 104.4 | -66.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 123.7 | -123.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 42.7 | 944.1 | -901.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 682.8 | 4,184.7 | -3,501.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 38.4 | 726.6 | -688.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 580.4 | 3,001.3 | -2,420.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 64.0 | 456.8 | -392.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ozark or Springfield safer?
Ozark is safer with a total crime rate of 764 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ozark has a violent crime rate of 81.1 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Ozark has lower violent crime.
About Ozark, MO
Ozark, Missouri, a city of around 20,000, sits along the Finley River in Christian County. Known for its proximity to Springfield and the Ozark Mountains, it once served as a trading post. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 23,432, Ozark has a total crime rate of 763.9 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.