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D-

Is St. Louis, Missouri Safe?

Population 278,144 · Safer than 10% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, St. Louis faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 90% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 2,024 per 100K.

St. Louis Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSt. LouisMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate328.4333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2605.42080.71,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate211.0--268.2
Theft Rate2024.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate303.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

293.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

328/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeF

2605/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for St. Louis

Violent crime in St. Louis is close to the national average. The rate of 328.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is well above the national average at 2605.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,024 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

St. Louis Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault211
079% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery64
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary312
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,024
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft303
095% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How St. Louis Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

St. Louis
328.4
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

St. Louis
2605.4
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About St. Louis Safety

Is St. Louis safe?
Not especially. St. Louis earns a D- with a crime rate of 293.4 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 St. Louis?
293.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 328.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2605.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is St. Louis safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. St. Louis's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,024 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in St. Louis?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in St. Louis generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the St. Louis police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in St. Louis?
Yes, there's been an uptick. St. Louis's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does St. Louis compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. St. Louis ranks behind about 81% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.4x the national rate.
How safe is St. Louis 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 St. Louis?
Bad. A D- grade and 293.4 per-thousand rate put St. Louis below 90% of US cities. Violent crime at 328 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in St. Louis?
328.4 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (211), robbery (64), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Missouri

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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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