Is Austin or Prior Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prior Lake is safer than Austin (Safety Score 67/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 68% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prior Lake has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 35.0x 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
Prior Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Prior Lake, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Prior Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,178.9 | +2,530.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 106.5 | +361.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 3.6 | +3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 32.0 | +35.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 7.1 | +78.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 63.9 | +243.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,072.3 | +2,169.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 63.9 | +381.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 955.2 | +1,243.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 53.3 | +545.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Prior Lake safer?
Prior Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Prior Lake has 106.5. Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake, MN
Prior Lake, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis, is named for its large lake and is home to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It's a growing, affluent community with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 28,163, Prior Lake has a total crime rate of 1,178.9 per 100,000 residents.