Is San Antonio or West Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Des Moines is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 44/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 64% lower. San Antonio has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Des Moines has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 20.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Des Moines — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio, TX
West Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Antonio | West Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,219.0 | 1,879.1 | +3,339.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 595.3 | 165.0 | +430.3 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 0.0 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 83.7 | 21.8 | +61.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.4 | 12.3 | +96.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 393.7 | 130.9 | +262.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,623.6 | 1,714.1 | +2,909.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 495.6 | 114.5 | +381.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,291.8 | 1,471.4 | +1,820.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 836.3 | 128.2 | +708.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio or West Des Moines safer?
West Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Antonio has a violent crime rate of 595.3 per 100K while West Des Moines has 165.0. West Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.
About West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines is a vibrant suburb of Iowa's capital, known for its strong financial sector and Jordan Creek Town Center. This affluent community, once a railway stop, lies just west of Des Moines, primarily in Polk County. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 73,334, West Des Moines has a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents.