Is Smithville or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Smithville is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 79/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 891 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 83% lower. Smithville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Smithville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 15.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Smithville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Smithville, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Smithville | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 890.9 | 5,364.0 | -4,473.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 183.7 | 1,179.3 | -995.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.9 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 55.1 | 104.4 | -49.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.2 | 123.7 | -114.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 119.4 | 944.1 | -824.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 707.2 | 4,184.7 | -3,477.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 55.1 | 726.6 | -671.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 560.3 | 3,001.3 | -2,441.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.8 | 456.8 | -365.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smithville or Springfield safer?
Smithville is safer with a total crime rate of 891 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Smithville has a violent crime rate of 183.7 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Smithville has lower violent crime.
About Smithville, MO
Smithville, Missouri, a charming town north of Kansas City, is home to Smithville Lake, a popular recreation spot. Founded in 1867, it maintains a small-town feel with a growing population of around 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 10,888, Smithville has a total crime rate of 890.9 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.