Is St. Joseph or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Joseph is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 5/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,579 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 35% lower. St. Joseph has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where St. Joseph has a 92% lower rate.
Note: St. Louis City is 4.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
St. Joseph — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Joseph, MO
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | St. Joseph | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,579.5 | 7,075.9 | -2,496.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.6 | 1,368.9 | -640.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 54.1 | -49.8 |
| Rape Rate | 178.2 | 58.1 | +120.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.2 | 249.6 | -195.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 491.9 | 1,005.4 | -513.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,850.9 | 5,706.9 | -1,856.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 536.1 | 819.7 | -283.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,774.5 | 3,412.3 | -637.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 540.4 | 1,475.0 | -934.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Joseph or St. Louis City safer?
St. Joseph is safer with a total crime rate of 4,579 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
St. Joseph has a violent crime rate of 728.6 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. St. Joseph has lower violent crime.
About St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, Missouri, a city on the Missouri River, was the starting point of the Pony Express. This Buchanan County seat is located across from Kansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 70,139, St. Joseph has a total crime rate of 4,579.5 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Louis City, MO
St. Louis City, Missouri, a major port on the Mississippi River, is home to the iconic Gateway Arch. With a population exceeding 300,000, it's a vibrant Midwestern hub with a rich German heritage. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 277,294, St. Louis City has a total crime rate of 7,075.9 per 100,000 residents.