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Kansas City vs St. Louis: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Kansas City has a crime rate of 23.8 per 1,000 residents vs St. Louis's 77 per 1,000, making Kansas City 69% safer overall. Kansas City earns a C+ safety grade compared to St. Louis's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Kansas City

Missouri

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.8/1K
Percentile48%
F

St. Louis

Missouri

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate77/1K
Percentile1%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricKansas CitySt. Louis
Overall Crime Rate23.8/1K77/1K
Violent Crime Rate403.11900.0
Property Crime Rate1977.95800.0
Murder Rate6.626.2
Assault Rate331.31314.8
Robbery Rate96.0351.8
Burglary Rate263.9739.0
Theft Rate1390.34555.6
Vehicle Theft Rate197.6752.7

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Kansas City is safer in 9 and St. Louis is safer in 0.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Kansas City, you have a 1 in 42 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 13 in St. Louis.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Kansas City, Missouri Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
St. Louis, Missouri Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Kansas City vs St. Louis

Kansas City Climate Overview

Annual High64.8°F
Annual Low45.7°F
Annual Rain35.3"
Annual Snow17.5"
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

St. Louis Climate Overview

Annual High66.4°F
Annual Low48.4°F
Annual Rain39.2"
Annual Snow16.1"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

Kansas CitySt. LouisHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Kansas City is 5°F colder in winter than St. Louis. Kansas City gets significantly more snow (18" vs 16"). Kansas City has more comfortable weather months (7 vs 6).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kansas City safer than St. Louis?
As of 2026, Kansas City is 69% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.8 per 1,000 residents compared to St. Louis's 77. Kansas City earns a C+ safety grade vs St. Louis's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Kansas City or St. Louis?
St. Louis has more violent crime at 1900 per 100,000 residents. Kansas City is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Kansas City vs St. Louis?
Kansas City has a crime rate of 23.8 per 1,000 (violent: 403/100K, property: 1978/100K). St. Louis has 77 per 1,000 (violent: 1900/100K, property: 5800/100K).
Should I move to Kansas City or St. Louis?
From a safety perspective, Kansas City has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Kansas City (pop. 521,220) and St. Louis (pop. 278,144) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Kansas City's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Kansas City and St. Louis compare for property crime?
Kansas City has lower property crime at 1978 per 100K vs St. Louis's 5800. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

St. Louis vs DetroitSt. Louis vs MemphisSt. Louis vs Baltimore

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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