Is Austin or La Crosse Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than La Crosse (Safety Score 11/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,103 for La Crosse — 10% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where La Crosse has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 19.3x 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
La Crosse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
La Crosse, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | La Crosse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,102.7 | -393.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 391.0 | +76.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.0 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 78.6 | -11.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 25.5 | +59.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 284.9 | +22.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,711.7 | -469.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 279.0 | +166.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 3,269.6 | -1,071.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 163.1 | +435.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or La Crosse safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,103 for La Crosse — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while La Crosse has 391.0. La Crosse 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 La Crosse, WI
Nestled on the Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is home to Oktoberfest USA. This city of roughly 52,000 residents lies in a unique bluffland topography. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 50,893, La Crosse has a total crime rate of 4,102.7 per 100,000 residents.