Is Aberdeen or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aberdeen is safer than Sioux Falls (Safety Score 50/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100,000 versus 3,442 for Sioux Falls — 51% lower. Aberdeen has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Aberdeen has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Sioux Falls is 7.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aberdeen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aberdeen, SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aberdeen | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,678.3 | 3,442.0 | -1,763.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 267.8 | 526.7 | -258.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.6 | -6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 50.0 | 28.0 | +22.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 47.4 | -47.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 217.8 | 444.7 | -226.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,410.5 | 2,915.2 | -1,504.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 250.0 | 303.0 | -53.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,057.0 | 2,174.7 | -1,117.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.6 | 437.6 | -334.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen or Sioux Falls safer?
Aberdeen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100K vs 3,442 for Sioux Falls — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aberdeen has a violent crime rate of 267.8 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Aberdeen has lower violent crime.
About Aberdeen, SD
Aberdeen, a city named after its Scottish counterpart, is the county seat of Brown County in northeastern South Dakota. Home to Northern State University, it's a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 28,004, Aberdeen has a total crime rate of 1,678.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.