The 10 Safest Cities In Missouri For 2024

The 10 Safest Cities In Missouri For 2024

Cottleville residents don't need to be coddled. Not with such safe streets. Cottleville has a property crime rate roughly nine times lower than the national average, earning the city the gold medal in this category. And you could count the number of violent crimes Cottleville saw in the last year of available data on one hand.

Did I mention that Cottleville also scores a perfect 10/10 on our overall snackability score? Really, whatever your priorities are for choosing a place to live, Cottleville probably has what you're looking for. Especially if one of those priorities is drinking a vanilla cream ale from Exit 6 Brewery.

Cottleville is a western suburb of St. Louis.

2. Poplar Bluff

Located in the southeast region of Missouri, Poplar Bluff is not only the county seat of Butler County but also a historic hub that has earned the nickname "The Gateway to the Ozarks." Poplar Bluff has maintained a steady growth and now forms the core of the Poplar Bluff Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Poplar Bluff's impressive safety record is reflected in its crime rates, with a total of 0 murders and an overall low 43/100k people violent crimes per capita. The city's commitment to safety is evident with fifth safest place ranking for violent crimes and a #4 for property crimes statewide. These statistics contribute to Poplar Bluff's designation as the second safest place to live in Missouri.

3. Glendale

Another safe suburb of St. Louis -- that was a fun little alliteration -- Glendale finds itself in the same position as last year near the top of our ranking.

Glendale's property and violent crime rates rank as the ninth safest and safest, respectively, in the state at anywhere from 8-10x better than the national average. Add in the fact that over 75% of the population has at least college education, people make a ton of money, and housing is in super high demand and you actually have one of the single best places to live in MIssouri according to our data for this year.

4. Ballwin

While Missouri is home to two of the most dangerous cities in the country in St. Louis and Springfield, it's also home to gems like Ballwin.

A second-ring western suburb of St. Louis, it takes the reigns as the fourth safest place to live in Missouri for 2024.

The large 'burb of some 30,000 people boasts the fourth safest violent crime rate and 12th safest property crime rate in the state. Even better, there were zero murders and robberies here in the last reporting year.

Add in a highly educated adult population and it's no wonder people are flocking to the city -- it scores a 10/10 on our SnackAbility score and marks a best place to live in Missouri.

5. Pleasant Hill

Located just southeast of Kansas City, Pleasant Hill ranks as the fifth safest city in Missouri overall. In 2022, Pleasant Hill experienced only one violent crime, giving the city the 11th safest rate of violence in the state. That works out to a violent crime rate 33 times lower than the national average. Pleasant Hill deserves a lot of praise for its very impressive crime numbers this year, seeing as the city wasn't even in the top 30 safest cities in Missouri last year.

This level of safety is great news for solo runners and cyclists who want to enjoy the Rock Island Trail State Park in peace.

6. Republic

Crime tries to run for office in Republic, MO, but the citizens vote 'No' every time, making it the sixth safest republic in the state.

Part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area, republic has a commendable safety profile with a #6 position among Missouri's safest places. The lack of violent crime, especially the scarcity of murder, contributes to a violent crime rate of 66/100k people, well below average.\

Just breaking our population threshold of 5,000 people, Savannah finds itself in the top ten for yet another year.

The town had top ten finishes for both violent and property crime, which makes for an overall safe place to settle down.

Tree City USA, as it likes to refer to itself on occasion, offers a ton of options for families and is your quintessential small-town USA. It's the kind of place where everyone knows their neighbors, and we all know you wouldn't steal from your friends next door.

Holts Summit, a serene city in Missouri's Callaway County, holds the title of the eighth safest city. With no incidents of serious crime in 2024, it has a violent crime rate of 73/100k people and a property crime rate of 626/100k people per capita. Ranking at 15th safest for violent crime and tenth safest for property crime across the state, its safety credentials are solid.

From a general store in 1870, Holts Summit has evolved into a secure enclave near Jefferson City. Its connection to the Missouri Rhineland and its founding legacy enhances its tight community atmosphere.

9. Greenwood

Greenwood is no stranger to this ranking, as it still ranks as one of the safest cities to live in Missouri.

And don't just take our word for it -- several other organizations have ranked Greenwood the safest city in the state for the past couple of years. That also means our methodology is accurate, in case you were worried.

While the town still has crime rates that are 10x better than the national average, violent crime was up a tick from previous years.

O'Fallon, a key suburb within St. Charles County in Missouri, is celebrated as the tenth safest city statewide for 2024. The city boasts a robust economy and strong community infrastructure, contributing to its low crime rates. Despite its population of 95,689 and proximity to the St. Louis metropolitan area, O'Fallon's crime rates remain low with just 90 violent incidents. Property crimes are slightly higher with 688 occurrences, but still modest for its size.

Founded in 1856, O'Fallon has evolved into a pivotal suburb. Its effective police force has earned it rankings of 17th safest in violent crime and 13th safest in property crime within Missouri, reinforcing O'Fallon's status as a secure place to reside.

Where Are The 10 Safest Cities In Missouri For 2024?