Is Austin or Joplin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Joplin (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,681 for Joplin — 21% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joplin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 18.4x 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
Joplin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Joplin, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Joplin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,681.2 | -971.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 560.4 | -92.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 89.7 | -22.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 52.3 | +33.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 418.4 | -111.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 4,120.8 | -878.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 416.6 | +28.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 3,298.9 | -1,100.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 405.4 | +193.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Joplin safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,681 for Joplin — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Joplin has 560.4. 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 Joplin, MO
Joplin, a city along historic Route 66, sits in Missouri's southwestern corner. Its economy has historically been tied to lead and zinc mining. The population is around 50,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 53,533, Joplin has a total crime rate of 4,681.2 per 100,000 residents.