Bowling Green, KY vs Des Moines, IA

Bowling Green is safer with a higher safety score by 11 points. Bowling Green, KY has a safety score of 69/100 while Des Moines, IA has 58/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Bowling Green, KY has a violent crime rate of 224.5 per 100,000 residents, while Des Moines, IA has 703.0 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Bowling Green, KY has a property crime rate of 2928.9 per 100,000, compared to 3126.5 per 100,000 in Des Moines, IA. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Safety scores range from 0-100, combining violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population data from the FBI UCR. Higher scores mean safer cities. Grades: A (80+), B (65-79), C (50-64), D (40-49), F (below 40).

Based on crime data alone, Bowling Green is safer. However, safety is just one factor — also consider cost of living, job market, schools, and quality of life. Visit our city pages for more details on each.