Des Moines, IA vs Detroit, MI

Des Moines is safer with a higher safety score by 10 points. Des Moines, IA has a safety score of 58/100 while Detroit, MI has 48/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Des Moines, IA has a violent crime rate of 703.0 per 100,000 residents, while Detroit, MI has 1781.3 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Des Moines, IA has a property crime rate of 3126.5 per 100,000, compared to 4305.3 per 100,000 in Detroit, MI. 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, Des Moines 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.