Is Austin or Ruston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ruston is safer than Austin (Safety Score 14/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 9% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ruston has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 44.2x 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
Ruston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Ruston, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Ruston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,387.4 | +322.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 431.3 | +36.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 13.5 | -6.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 22.5 | +45.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 40.4 | +45.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 350.4 | -43.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,956.1 | +285.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 359.4 | +85.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,412.5 | -214.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 184.2 | +414.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Ruston safer?
Ruston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Ruston has 431.3. Ruston 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 Ruston, LA
Ruston, Louisiana, is home to Louisiana Tech University, a public research institution. Situated in Lincoln Parish, it's a small city in north-central Louisiana, known for its annual Peach Festival. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 22,259, Ruston has a total crime rate of 3,387.4 per 100,000 residents.