Is Austin or Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 11/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 3% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Moines has a 35% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 4.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,831.4 | -122.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 704.9 | -237.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.3 | +2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 51.1 | +16.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 75.0 | +10.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 572.5 | -265.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,126.5 | +115.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 462.6 | -17.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,142.0 | +56.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 521.9 | +76.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Des Moines safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Des Moines has 704.9. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 per 100,000 residents.