Bay St. Louis, MS Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Bay St. Louis Safe?
Mostly yes — Bay St. Louis is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Bay St. Louis has a crime rate that is 17% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 373.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 373
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
30% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 72
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
24% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Bay St. Louis Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
75 | -25% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
29 | -71% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Bay St. Louis Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Bay St. Louis Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Bay St. Louis, MS?
Bay St. Louis, MS has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 17% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 373 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 72 chance for property crime. Bay St. Louis has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Bay St. Louis, MS safe to live in?
Bay St. Louis is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Bay St. Louis is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Bay St. Louis?
The estimated violent crime rate in Bay St. Louis is 268.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 373 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.8 per 100K (25% below average); aggravated assault at 221.5 per 100K (17% below average); robbery at 21.5 per 100K (71% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Bay St. Louis?
The estimated property crime rate in Bay St. Louis is 1,390.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 24% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 72 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 136.5 per 100K (49% below average); larceny/theft at 994.7 per 100K (29% below average); vehicle theft at 259.6 per 100K (19% below average).
How does Bay St. Louis crime compare to the national average?
Bay St. Louis's overall crime rate is 17% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (17% below average), while robbery is 71% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bay St. Louis has lower crime than 47% of them.
Is Bay St. Louis safe to visit?
Bay St. Louis is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 24% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Bay St. Louis crime compare to the rest of Mississippi?
Mississippi as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Bay St. Louis's crime rate is 17% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical Mississippi city.
What type of crime is most common in Bay St. Louis?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bay St. Louis, with an estimated rate of 994.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 29% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,391 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (268 per 100K) in Bay St. Louis, which is consistent with national trends.