Is Austin or Fargo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 11/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 12% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fargo has a 33% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 7.3x 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
Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Fargo, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Fargo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,195.1 | -485.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 498.2 | -30.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.4 | +2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 102.5 | -34.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 77.4 | +8.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 314.0 | -6.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,696.9 | -455.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 741.4 | -296.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,600.9 | -402.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 354.5 | +244.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Fargo safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Fargo has 498.2. 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 Fargo, ND
Fargo, North Dakota, a city of over 120,000, sits on the Red River of the North, forming a metropolitan area with Moorhead, Minnesota. Home to North Dakota State University, it's a regional hub for agriculture and technology. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 135,682, Fargo has a total crime rate of 4,195.1 per 100,000 residents.