Is Rolla or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rolla is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,914 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 46% lower. Rolla has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rolla has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 8.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Rolla — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rolla, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rolla | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,913.9 | 5,364.0 | -2,450.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 374.0 | 1,179.3 | -805.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 63.1 | 104.4 | -41.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.4 | 123.7 | -104.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 291.4 | 944.1 | -652.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,539.9 | 4,184.7 | -1,644.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 335.1 | 726.6 | -391.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.4 | 3,001.3 | -985.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 189.4 | 456.8 | -267.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rolla or Springfield safer?
Rolla is safer with a total crime rate of 2,914 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rolla has a violent crime rate of 374.0 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Rolla has lower violent crime.
About Rolla, MO
Rolla, a city in Phelps County, Missouri, is home to Missouri University of Science and Technology, a major employer. Situated in the Ozarks, it was founded in 1844 along the proposed route of the Pacific Railroad. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 20,591, Rolla has a total crime rate of 2,913.9 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.