Is Austin or Newton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Austin (Safety Score 47/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 52% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 63.1x 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
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Newton, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Newton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,774.4 | +1,935.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 384.3 | +83.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 89.7 | -22.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 25.6 | +59.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 269.0 | +38.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,390.1 | +1,851.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 249.8 | +195.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,076.2 | +1,122.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 64.1 | +534.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Newton safer?
Newton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Newton has 384.3. Newton 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 Newton, IA
Newton, Iowa, a city in Jasper County, is known as the former home of Maytag. Located east of Des Moines, its population was 15,760 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 15,611, Newton has a total crime rate of 1,774.4 per 100,000 residents.