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D+

Is Kansas City, Missouri Safe?

Population 521,220 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

As one of the larger cities in Missouri, Kansas City carries crime rates that reflect its size. It earns a D+ with 252.5 crimes per 1,000 residents and violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,515 per 100K.

Kansas City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricKansas CityMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate328.2333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2197.22080.71,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate256.0--268.2
Theft Rate1515.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate215.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

252.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

328/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2197/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Kansas City

Violent crime in Kansas City is close to the national average. The rate of 328.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2197.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,515 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Kansas City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault256
095% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery76
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary299
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,515
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft215
068% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Kansas City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kansas City
328.2
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Kansas City
2197.2
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kansas City Safety

Is Kansas City safe?
Not especially. Kansas City earns a D+ with a crime rate of 252.5 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Kansas City?
252.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 328.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2197.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Kansas City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Kansas City's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,515 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Kansas City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Kansas City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Kansas City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Kansas City?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Kansas City's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Kansas City compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Kansas City ranks behind about 80% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Kansas City to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Kansas City?
Bad. A D+ grade and 252.5 per-thousand rate put Kansas City below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 328 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Kansas City?
328.2 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (256), robbery (76), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Missouri

Similar-sized communities in Missouri. Compare crime rates across the state.

D-
See crime rates in St. Louis278,144 pop · Grade D-
D+
See crime rates in Springfield169,847 pop · Grade D+
D-
See crime rates in Columbia130,851 pop · Grade D-
D-
See crime rates in Independence121,675 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Lee's Summit107,514 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in O'Fallon96,101 pop · Grade D+
View all Missouri city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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