West Des Moines, IA vs Whittier, CA

West Des Moines is safer with a higher safety score by 12 points. West Des Moines, IA has a safety score of 75/100 while Whittier, CA has 63/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

West Des Moines, IA has a violent crime rate of 165.0 per 100,000 residents, while Whittier, CA has 490.5 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

West Des Moines, IA has a property crime rate of 1714.1 per 100,000, compared to 2375.4 per 100,000 in Whittier, 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, West 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.