Is St. Louis City or West Plains Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Plains is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 36/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 69% lower. St. Louis City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Plains has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Louis City is 21.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Plains — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Louis City, MO
West Plains, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | St. Louis City | West Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 7,075.9 | 2,167.4 | +4,908.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,368.9 | 361.2 | +1,007.7 |
| Murder Rate | 54.1 | 0.0 | +54.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.1 | 86.4 | -28.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 249.6 | 23.6 | +226.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,005.4 | 251.3 | +754.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,706.9 | 1,806.2 | +3,900.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 819.7 | 180.6 | +639.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,412.3 | 1,476.4 | +1,935.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,475.0 | 149.2 | +1,325.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Louis City or West Plains safer?
West Plains is safer with a total crime rate of 2,167 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
St. Louis City has a violent crime rate of 1,368.9 per 100K while West Plains has 361.2. West Plains has lower violent crime.
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.
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.