Is Austin or Ottumwa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottumwa is safer than Austin (Safety Score 19/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 19% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ottumwa has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 39.1x 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
Ottumwa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Ottumwa, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Ottumwa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,013.7 | +695.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 397.1 | +70.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.9 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 83.4 | -15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 27.8 | +57.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 277.9 | +29.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,616.6 | +625.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 428.8 | +16.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,945.6 | +252.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 242.2 | +356.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Ottumwa safer?
Ottumwa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Ottumwa has 397.1. Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa, IA
Ottumwa, once a prominent coal mining center and home to the Beach Ottumwa water park, is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, situated along the Des Moines River. Its population was around 25,000 residents in 2020. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 25,185, Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3,013.7 per 100,000 residents.