Des Moines, IA vs El Cajon, CA

El Cajon is safer with a higher safety score by 9 points. Des Moines, IA has a safety score of 58/100 while El Cajon, CA has 67/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Des Moines, IA has a violent crime rate of 703.0 per 100,000 residents, while El Cajon, CA has 434.4 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 1500.3 per 100,000 in El Cajon, CA. 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, El Cajon 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.