St. Louis Crime Rate Analysis & Safety Guide

St. Louis is known for its rich history, iconic architecture, and vibrant culture, but it’s also a city often associated with high crime rates. This leads many people to ask the same question: Is St. Louis safe? The answer requires looking closely at the data and understanding how crime varies across the city.

In this guide, we dive into the latest information on the St. Louis crime rate and compare it with other large U.S. cities. You’ll also find a breakdown of the safest and highest-risk neighborhoods, plus practical tips for safely living in or visiting St. Louis. Dive in now!

What Is the Latest St Louis Crime Rate?

St. Louis continues to rank among the most crime-affected cities in the United States, and the full St. Louis city crime rate dataset 2024 underscores how far above national averages the city remains.

With a population of 277,294, St. Louis recorded 3,791 violent crimes in 2024, producing a violent-crime rate of 1,367 incidents per 100,000 residents—one of the highest rates nationwide. Aggravated assaults make up the largest share (2,788 cases), followed by 692 robberies, 161 rapes, and 150 homicides, a per-capita homicide count that remains among the highest of any major U.S. city.

Property crime remains an equally significant challenge. The city logged 15,825 property crimes, resulting in a property-crime rate of 5,707 incidents per 100,000 residents, well above the U.S. average. Larceny-theft (9,462 cases) is the most common offense, followed by 4,090 motor-vehicle thefts, an area where St. Louis consistently ranks near the top among U.S. metros.

Taken together, the latest St. Louis crime rate data shows a city grappling with widespread safety concerns across both violent and property-crime categories. While crime levels vary sharply by neighborhood, citywide figures place St. Louis among the most impacted metropolitan areas in the country.

How Does St Louis’s Crime Rate Compare to Other U.S. Cities?

When compared to cities with similar populations, the St. Louis Missouri crime rate stands out for significantly higher crime levels across both violent and property-crime categories.

St. Louis (population ~277,000) recorded a violent-crime rate of 1,367 per 100,000 residents, far exceeding cities of similar size. Chula Vista, California, reported 1,029 violent crimes, and Gilbert, Arizona, reported just 367, meaning St. Louis had nearly four times the violent offenses of Chula Vista and more than ten times those of Gilbert. These disparities highlight St. Louis as an outlier within its peer group.

The gap is even more pronounced in property crime. St. Louis’ property-crime rate of 5,707 per 100,000 residents dwarfs that of Gilbert (≈968) and Chula Vista (≈1,132). Motor-vehicle thefts are a key driver: St. Louis reported 4,090, while Chula Vista recorded just 908 despite similar populations.

In a broader national context, St. Louis consistently ranks among the highest-crime major cities. Although cities like Memphis and Detroit still exceed St. Louis in violent-crime rates, St. Louis remains firmly within the top tier and well above major metros such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Boston.

Which St Louis Neighborhoods Are the Safest & Which to Watch?

Crime in St. Louis varies dramatically by neighborhood, making location a major factor for residents and visitors.

Safer neighborhoods such as Hi-Pointe, Princeton Heights, and Lindenwood Park consistently report crime rates well below the city average. Hi-Pointe, for example, has been shown to have crime levels over 70% lower than the St. Louis average. These communities benefit from stronger neighborhood stability, active local organizations, better lighting, and higher rates of homeownership.

Conversely, higher-risk neighborhoods, especially parts of North St. Louis City and areas like Peabody-Darst-Webbe, show elevated levels of violent crime and motor-vehicle theft. These districts often face greater economic challenges, more vacant properties, and fewer municipal resources, contributing to higher incident volumes.

For both residents and visitors, understanding these neighborhood differences is essential. While St. Louis has many safe and vibrant areas, others require increased awareness and caution, particularly after dark.

How to Live or Visit Safely in St Louis

So, how to live or travel safely in St. Louis? The elevated crime rate in St. Louis simply means you need to take a few smart precautions. Below are practical tips for both residents and visitors looking to stay safe while navigating the city.

How to Live Safely

• Invest in Security Cameras

Installing reliable security cameras around entry points, driveways, garages, and side yards gives you constant visibility over your property.

A strong option is the eufyCam S4, which offers long-range tracking, crisp 4K resolution, and smart motion alerts that highlight important activity instead of random movement.

If you want stronger, uninterrupted home protection, consider a full surveillance setup like the eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max. An NVR system provides 24/7 continuous recording, multi-camera coverage, secure local storage, and unified monitoring—far beyond what individual cameras can offer.

• Use Video Doorbells at Entrances

A video doorbell helps you see who’s at your door before you open it, effectively preventing intrusion and giving the homeowner more control over their entryway.

The eufy Video Doorbell E340 uses a dual-camera design for maximum coverage. With features like color night vision, instant notification and instant two-way audio, it is extremely effective for monitoring deliveries, strangers, or unexpected visitors.

• Add Indoor Coverage

Placing an indoor camera like the eufy Indoor Cam S350 in key areas such as hallways or living rooms gives you visibility even when you’re away. Coupling it with outdoor cameras and you have almost complete coverage.

• Strengthen Exterior Lighting

Keeping walkways, driveways, and porches brightly lit eliminates hiding spots and deters property crime. Motion-activated floodlights are especially useful, as they instantly illuminate suspicious activity and often scare off intruders.

How to Visit Safely

Choose Accommodations in Well-Reviewed Areas: Book hotels or rentals in stable, well-lit neighborhoods with clear security features and strong guest reviews.

For maximum safety and peace of mind, consider choosing accommodations equipped with a comprehensive security setup, such as the eufy ExpertSecure System.

Avoid Walking at Night: Use rideshare services after dark instead of walking long distances, especially in unfamiliar areas.

Keep Valuables Secure: Store your phone, wallet, and bags close to your body, and avoid displaying expensive items in crowded or tourist-heavy locations.

Stick to Busy, Well-Traveled Routes: Whether exploring downtown or visiting attractions, stay in areas with good foot traffic and a visible security presence.

Plan Ahead and Stay Aware: Map your routes in advance, trust your instincts, and stay alert to what’s happening around you when moving through the city.

Conclusion

Is St Louis, Missouri, safe? Now you know that the St. Louis crime rate remains high compared with the national average, but that doesn’t mean the city is unsafe for everyone. Understanding which neighborhoods are stable, which areas require extra caution, following practical safety guidelines and investing in reliable security technology, such as security cameras, video doorbells, or complete security systems, you can significantly reduce risk and enjoy everything St. Louis has to offer with greater confidence.

FAQs

Does St. Louis have the worst crime rate?

St. Louis is consistently ranked among the U.S. cities with the highest violent-crime rates, but it does not always hold the number-one spot. Cities like Memphis and Detroit often record even higher violent-crime levels, though St. Louis remains firmly within the upper tier.

Is St. Louis a good or bad place to live?

St. Louis can be a great place to live for those who choose stable neighborhoods, appreciate its culture, and take normal safety precautions. However, the city’s uneven crime distribution means experiences vary widely by area, making neighborhood selection and awareness especially important.

Has crime in St. Louis gone down?

Yes, crime has gone down in St. Louis, with significant drops in violent crimes like homicide, assault, and robbery in recent years, according to the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Is it safe to walk around St. Louis?

Walking around St. Louis can be safe, especially in busy tourist zones and well-reviewed neighborhoods, as long as you use standard big-city precautions. Staying in well-lit areas, traveling in groups, and avoiding isolated streets at night significantly increase safety.

Is downtown St. Louis safe?

Downtown St. Louis is generally safe for visitors, especially around busy attractions and well-patrolled areas. However, like in many major cities, it’s important to stay alert at night, stick to well-lit streets, and avoid isolated blocks to ensure a safer experience.