Des Moines, WA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 73% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Des Moines Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Des Moines has a crime rate that is 11% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 231.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 231
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
14% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
33% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Des Moines 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
|
100 | -0% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
101 | +1% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
148 | +48% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
144 | +44% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
101 | +1% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
127 | +27% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
119 | +19% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Des Moines Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Des Moines Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Des Moines, WA?
Des Moines, WA has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 11% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 231 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. Des Moines has higher crime than 73% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Des Moines, WA safe to live in?
Des Moines has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Des Moines is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Des Moines?
The estimated violent crime rate in Des Moines is 432.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 231 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.0 per 100K (0% below average); aggravated assault at 270.4 per 100K (1% above average); robbery at 109.3 per 100K (48% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Des Moines?
The estimated property crime rate in Des Moines is 2,435.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 33% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 272.0 per 100K (1% above average); larceny/theft at 1,782.2 per 100K (27% above average); vehicle theft at 380.8 per 100K (19% above average).
How does Des Moines crime compare to the national average?
Des Moines's overall crime rate is 11% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (48% above average), while murder is 0% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Des Moines has higher crime than 73% of them.
Is Des Moines safe to visit?
Visitors to Des Moines should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 33% 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 Des Moines crime compare to the rest of Washington?
Washington as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Des Moines's crime rate is 11% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.
What type of crime is most common in Des Moines?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Des Moines, with an estimated rate of 1,782.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 27% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,435 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (433 per 100K) in Des Moines, which is consistent with national trends.