St. Louis, MO Crime Rate & Safety

St. Louis, MO has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 15% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 227 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. St. Louis has higher crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

St. Louis has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. Approximately 71% of the city's 156 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Washington University in St. Louis is one of the safest areas, while Carr Square has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting St. Louis is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in St. Louis are Washington University in St. Louis, Glendale, Des Peres, Warson Woods, and Oakville. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in St. Louis include Carr Square, Wellston, Visitation Park, Columbus Square, and Greendale. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in St. Louis is 441.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 227 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.6 per 100K (12% above average); aggravated assault at 318.5 per 100K (19% above average); robbery at 79.6 per 100K (8% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in St. Louis is 2,460.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% 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 302.6 per 100K (12% above average); larceny/theft at 1,772.7 per 100K (26% above average); vehicle theft at 385.6 per 100K (21% above average).

St. Louis's overall crime rate is 15% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (26% above average), while robbery is 8% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, St. Louis has higher crime than 77% of them.

Visitors to St. Louis should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 34% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Washington University in St. Louis, Glendale, Des Peres.

Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. St. Louis's crime rate is 15% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in St. Louis, with an estimated rate of 1,772.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 26% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,461 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (441 per 100K) in St. Louis, which is consistent with national trends.