Is Austin or Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Moines is safer than Austin (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 15% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Moines has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 31.1x 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, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,145.7 | +563.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 296.6 | +170.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 3.2 | +3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 28.4 | +39.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 104.1 | -18.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 160.9 | +146.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,849.1 | +392.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 214.6 | +230.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,927.8 | +270.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 706.8 | -108.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Des Moines safer?
Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Des Moines has 296.6. Des Moines 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, WA
Des Moines, Washington, a Puget Sound city, was once a popular resort town. Today, its waterfront views and proximity to Seattle attract a diverse population. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 31,694, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,145.7 per 100,000 residents.