Is Springfield or West Plains Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Plains is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 36/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 60% lower. Springfield has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Plains has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 13.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Plains — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield, MO
West Plains, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Springfield | West Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,364.0 | 2,167.4 | +3,196.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,179.3 | 361.2 | +818.1 |
| Murder Rate | 5.9 | 0.0 | +5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 104.4 | 86.4 | +18.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 123.7 | 23.6 | +100.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 944.1 | 251.3 | +692.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,184.7 | 1,806.2 | +2,378.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 726.6 | 180.6 | +546.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,001.3 | 1,476.4 | +1,524.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 456.8 | 149.2 | +307.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Springfield or West Plains safer?
West Plains is safer with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Springfield has a violent crime rate of 1,179.3 per 100K while West Plains has 361.2. West Plains has lower violent crime.
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.
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.