Cape Girardeau, MO Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 52% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Cape Girardeau Safe?
Mostly yes — Cape Girardeau is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Cape Girardeau has a crime rate that is 22% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 349.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 349
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
25% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 53
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
2% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Cape Girardeau 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
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
87 | -13% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Cape Girardeau Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Cape Girardeau Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Cape Girardeau zip codes.
Cape Girardeau Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Cape Girardeau, MO has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 22% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 349 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 53 chance for property crime. Cape Girardeau has lower crime than 52% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Cape Girardeau, MO safe to live in?
Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Cape Girardeau?
The estimated violent crime rate in Cape Girardeau is 286.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 349 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.3 per 100K (15% below average); aggravated assault at 189.2 per 100K (29% below average); robbery at 64.6 per 100K (13% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Cape Girardeau?
The estimated property crime rate in Cape Girardeau is 1,873.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 53 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 241.9 per 100K (10% below average); larceny/theft at 1,339.2 per 100K (4% below average); vehicle theft at 292.8 per 100K (8% below average).
How does Cape Girardeau crime compare to the national average?
Cape Girardeau's overall crime rate is 22% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (4% below average), while assault is 29% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cape Girardeau has lower crime than 52% of them.
Is Cape Girardeau safe to visit?
Cape Girardeau is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 2% above 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 Cape Girardeau crime compare to the rest of Missouri?
Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Cape Girardeau's crime rate is 22% below the national average, making it safer the typical Missouri city.
What type of crime is most common in Cape Girardeau?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cape Girardeau, with an estimated rate of 1,339.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 4% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,874 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (287 per 100K) in Cape Girardeau, which is consistent with national trends.