Des Moines, IA vs Santa Monica, CA

Des Moines is safer with a higher safety score by 3 points. Des Moines, IA has a safety score of 58/100 while Santa Monica, CA has 55/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Des Moines, IA has a violent crime rate of 703.0 per 100,000 residents, while Santa Monica, CA has 778.0 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 4790.4 per 100,000 in Santa Monica, 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, 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.