Is Missouri a good place to live? We think so. Now, we don’t want to tell you where you should not live in Missouri, but just like any other state, some parts are just more dangerous than others. It’s pretty common for anyone living in or moving to a new state to understand how safe an area is. Luckily, there are helpful resources that allow certain statistics regarding these areas to be made public. These specific rankings for the most dangerous towns in Missouri are based solely on the amount of crime and the likelihood of being the victim of a crime. Nothing else was considered, so while they may be “dangerous” on paper, you may have never seen or experienced anything dangerous while there. These statistics were brought to you by Road Snacks, which analyzed 84 cities using the FBI’s latest crime report for violent crime and property crime statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents.

1. Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, MO, USA
Flickr/ BJ Rush
As with any larger town, neighborhoods are a big factor, but the overall crime rate in Springfield is significantly higher than Missouri's average with a higher-than-average amount of both violent and property crimes. It may not be the worst city in Missouri, but you do have a 1 in 12 chance of being involved in a property crime. However, being the home of Fantastic Caverns, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Dickerson Park Zoo, and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, as well as lots of great places to stay and things to eat, there is still much to love.
2. St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, MO, USA
"STLfinal" by Original uploader was Pwu2005 at en.wikipedia - I took this photoTransferred from en.wikipedia; Transfer was stated to be made by User:sevela.p.. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons -
The fact that St. Louis is on this list should be no surprise. Most bigger cities have higher crime rates, and many consider St. Louis to be one of the best places to live in Missouri. The thing to remember with such large cities is that the crime rate can be radically different from neighborhood to neighborhood. The overall crime rate for St. Louis is higher than the national average as well as the Missouri average. Violent crime is up and according to statistics, St. Louis stands out as having the highest murder rate in the state. On another note, St. Louis is filled with history, art, architecture, natural beauty, and so many things to do, see, and eat, that it may be worth the risk.
3. Vinita Park, Missouri
Vinita Park, MO, USA
Facebook City of Vinita Park
Vinita Park, Missouri is a smaller city located in St. Louis County that holds a population of just a few thousand people. However, this city jumped up one spot this year, earning it the title of being the worst city in Missouri in terms of safety. Vinita Park is considered one of the least-safe cities in the state, with seven murders in 2019 alone; statistically, this city has the second-highest murder rate in Missouri.
4. Branson, Missouri
Branson, MO 65616, USA
"09-01-06-bransonmaindrag" by Original uploader was Bobak at en.wikipedia - Transfered from en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
A surprise on this list for some might be that this tourist mecca and "Live Music Capital of the World" has a crime rate much higher than the national average! You have a 1 in 8 chance of being the victim of a crime in Branson. However, crime rates have decreased recently, and there is a stable housing market, high graduation rates, and a low cost of living. With 50 live performance theaters, a dozen or so golf courses, Silver Dollar Theme Park, and museums galore, the crime rate may not be your main concern.
5. Joplin, Missouri
Joplin, MO, USA
Flickr Jackson Dallas
In southwestern, Missouri, Joplin is ranked the fourth most dangerous in terms of property crimes and the 15th most dangerous in terms of violent crimes. Burglary rates are also ranked the sixth highest in the state. Overall, though, Joplin is considered the least violent place on this whole list.

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6. Caruthersville, Missouri
Caruthersville, MO 63830, USA
Facebook Caruthersville, Missouri
Caruthersville, Missouri has not changed from last year’s rankings and remains at #6 on the list. The reason why this small town of around 5,000 residents makes the list at all is due to the fact that it’s ranked fifth most dangerous in terms of violent crimes.
7. Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, MO, USA
"Kcsky" by Leprecub at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -
Another large city, Kansas City is another "non-shocker" on this list. The crime rate is slightly higher than the Missouri average, which doesn't sound so bad compared to some of the others on the list, but the problem is that they are much higher than average on violent crime. There is a 1 in 16 chance of being a victim. Kansas City has so much to do for out-of-towners. Also, Kansas City is quite beautiful. Known as the "City of Fountains", it has more fountains than any other city besides Rome, Italy. Oh, and don't forget Kansas City barbecue.
8. Sedalia, Missouri
Sedalia, MO 65301, USA
Flickr Jasperdo
Coming in at #8 on the list is the city of Sedalia, Missouri. This city of 20,000 residents is known for events like the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival and the Missouri State Fair, but it also sees a bit of crime. Ranked as the eighth most dangerous for violent crimes, larceny is also a big issue for this city. In fact, in 2019, there were 700+ larcenies in total for Sedalia.
9. Berkeley, Missouri
Berkeley, MO, USA
City Of Berkeley, Missouri
Berkeley, Missouri is ranked 7th in terms of the most violent crimes in the state. While there are plenty of parks, shops, and green space throughout this city, there is still a reason it made the list. In 2019, a reason had to do with auto theft, as Berkeley reported 101 car thefts overall. This is quite high due to the low population of 8,000 people!
10. Raytown, Missouri
Raytown, MO, USA
Wikipedia Ichabod
Raytown jumped 13 spots to be on this list, coming from 23rd in the state. In fact, Raytown even had the third-highest murder rate in Missouri at one time. In addition, there were many property crimes committed, plus car thefts and burglaries. This one might not be recommended for anyone looking to visit after dark.

It is once again worth mentioning, that different neighborhoods within these communities might be more dangerous than others. It is worth looking into this before a visit to any town so that you are aware of the more dangerous areas.  And also, just because a place has a problem with crime, doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting or that it isn’t working on overall improvement. Do you know of any other areas that may be a little dangerous and worth being cautious of?  Share in the comments section!

To swing things in the other direction, here are some of the best places to live in Missouri.

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More to Explore

Most Dangerous Towns in Missouri

Marisa Roman | November 15, 2021

What are the best things about living in Missouri?

Don’t let the crime statistics in Missouri fool you. Missouri is a great state to visit, but more especially to live in. Just because there may be a few statistically unsafe places within the state, doesn’t make it a bad place. Quite the opposite, in fact, Missouri is such a fantastic place to live, we have 14 reasons why. There is a little something for everyone in Missouri, from the cities, rural areas, and natural landscapes, and beyond. Plus, it’s the adventure and activities that make this place worth visiting, too. For starters, the cities throughout Missouri offer up tons to do. But you can still be within driving distance to rural areas for more quiet living. Another reason why living in Missouri is the best is because it’s affordable. The cost of living in Missouri is much lower than the national average, especially when it comes to housing costs. Also, you can’t forget about the fact that Missouri offers all four seasons, so you can go from enjoying the changing of the leaves in autumn to the snow-filled scenery in winter. 

What are the worst things about living in Missouri?

Living in Missouri is rewarding to many. And yet, that doesn’t mean that it also doesn’t have its disadvantages. While many places in Missouri might be worth visiting, you may not want to permanently set up shop there. We sussed out a few risks of living in Missouri, more from a natural disaster standpoint. For instance, anyone in the Midwest already knows how dangerous tornadoes can be. Missouri is no stranger to big tornadoes, especially ones that end up touching down out of nowhere causing tremendous damage in its wake. But what might surprise you, is that in terms of natural disasters, Missouri also may be prone to earthquakes someday. Located in the southeast portion of Missouri, the New Madrid Fault is predicted to be of major concern someday in the future.

What are the best small towns in Missouri?

Let’s forget for a moment about the natural disasters, the worst things about living in Missouri, and the most dangerous places. Rather instead, let's dive right in on some of the best small towns this state has to offer. Out of all of the most charming places in Missouri to visit, the small towns truly do make up the bread and butter of it all. We’ve come up with a list of 17 of the best small towns in the state, all with a population of fewer than 20,000 people. Of course, the highest on this list has a population of 20,000 while the lower - Arrow Rock has a population of 36. However, each of these Missouri small towns has something new and exciting to offer visitors. For example, Parkville, which is along the Missouri River, has tons of outdoor activities available, plus it also has a quintessential downtown area worth strolling. In addition, Boonville, Missouri offers up such a unique taste of history, even being named one of the "20 Best Small Towns to Visit" by Smithsonian Magazine! Boonville also happens to be one of the best day trips in Missouri, by far.

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