Moving to Missouri?
Two things often spring to mind when people think of Missouri: The amazing Branson entertainment mecca and the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis but there’s more including excellent hospitality, barbecue, and a thriving music and arts scene.
The Show Me State, is home to just over 6.2 million people with its largest city, Kansas City, surrounded by welcoming suburbs. Many of the smaller Missouri cities might make a safe home environment for your family.
Let’s take a look at these 10 safe Missouri cities.
1. Pleasant Hill
Where small-town charm meets peace of mind
Crime Rate Comparison: 63rd percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 20.15, Violent: 2.834, Property: 10.95
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $931/$349
Located near the Kansas-Missouri border, this little town is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Many residents work in Kansas City, which straddles both states. The median home price is $245,400. This Cass County gem with close to 9,000 residents offers a small-town friendly vibe.
2. Greenwood
Suburban serenity near the city
Crime Rate Comparison: 61st percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 20.54, Violent: 1.952, Property: 9.801
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $1,083/$398
If you are looking for a peaceful, welcoming small town, Greenwood checks off the boxes. With a population hovering around 6,000, Greenwood is a safe community just 20 miles southeast of Kansas City. This suburb is ideal for families.
3. Nixa
Ozark access with safety perks
Crime Rate Comparison: 61st percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 20.73, Violent: 2.616, Property: 10.76
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $739/$276
Find a growing town close to both Springfield and Branson. Nixa is family friendly. With the Ozark Mountains, you will never lack outdoor recreation. Affordable housing is found here with the median home value at $238,300.
4. Battlefield
Affordable, safe, and scenic
Crime Rate Comparison: 53rd percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 22.93, Violent: 2.227, Property: 12.84
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $727/$304
Found at the foot of the Ozark Mountains, this affordable town has a median home value of $207,100. Strong schools and proximity to Springfield are additional perks. With a lower cost of living and safety on its side, this suburb is one to consider.
5. Ellisville
Dense, dynamic, and secure
Crime Rate Comparison: 43rd percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 26.38, Violent: 2.183, Property: 14.06
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $1,229/$470
Ellisville is a dense suburb west of St. Louis, where the median home price is $347,300. Parents can be confident in the town’s superb school system, as the student/teacher ratio is 16:1. Fun fact: Ellisville has one of the largest salt caves in the Midwest.
6. Ballwin
Safe suburbia with a city touch
Crime Rate Comparison: 39th percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 27.87, Violent: 2.158, Property: 16.02
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $1,116/$436
A quiet suburb of St. Louis, Ballwin offers plenty of restaurants, parks and shops for residents to enjoy, while only minutes away from city amenities. Top notch schools are an excellent perk for families. The median home price is $353,400, and residents enjoy a lower than the national average cost of living.
7. Odessa
Small town, big heart, modest crime
Crime Rate Comparison: 38th percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 28.22, Violent: 2.896, Property: 17.00
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $1,288/$476
Live east of Kansas City and become enamored with small town charm in Odessa. Festivals, a welcoming downtown, and a relaxed lifestyle make it a secure choice for your family. Homes here are close to $210,000 in value.
8. Bonne Terre
Low crime, lower prices, lots of charm
Crime Rate Comparison: 36th percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 29.18, Violent: 4.474, Property: 13.16
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $1,459/$553
Bonne Terre is French for beautiful or good earth. It’s a hidden gem south of St. Louis near Mark Twain National Forest, and if you blink, you may drive right past it. Consider Bonne Terre a place where crime levels are very low, and the median home price is just shy of $121,000.
9. Cottleville
History, safety, and top schools
Crime Rate Comparison: 34th percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 30.07, Violent: 2.834, Property: 17.26
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $1,177/$420
A home in Cottleville, one of the oldest communities in St. Charles County, will run you around $382,000, but local parents are happy to oblige because of the town’s “A” rated schools. The high school graduation rate is nearly perfect.
10. Town and Country
Luxury living with secure streets
Crime Rate Comparison: 33rd percentile for safety
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): Overall: 30.34, Violent: 2.147, Property: 19.01
Most Common Crime: Theft
Cost of Crime Per Household/Per Resident: $1,269/$507
Town and Country is a ritzy area for sure, as the median home value is almost a whopping $895,000, with some homes hitting above the $5 million mark. Breeze to amenities, employers, and attractions with St. Louis being a fast 20-minute commute. It is one of the best places to retire in Missouri.
The Bottom Line
Missouri’s safest cities blend suburban ease, strong communities, and surprisingly affordable living. Whether you're after small-town peace or metro convenience, these places deliver low crime and high livability.
The "Safest Cities" series evaluates and ranks the safest cities in each U.S. state using crime data from the FBI and state databases. Our analysis considers population size, violent and nonviolent crime rates, the most common crime, and comparisons to national and state averages. Violent crimes include homicide, assault, robbery, and sexual assault, while nonviolent crimes encompass burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offenses. Each city’s safety score is weighted, emphasizing violent crimes. Data inconsistencies and reporting variations are acknowledged as limitations. This analysis aims to help individuals and families make informed decisions about where to live.
Other Missouri Resources
Best Tiny Home Builders in Missouri
How to Build a House in Missouri
Top 5 Places to Live in Missouri
The 10 Most Affordable Cities in Missouri
2021 Guide to Closing Costs in Missouri
The 10 Best Places to Retire in Missouri
Julie Gordey
A lifelong educator, Julie Gordey, is a retired school administrator. After years of focusing on education, this University of Texas graduate now travels and enjoys freelance writing for BDX and NewHomeSource.com.