Is Austin or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sioux Falls is safer than Austin (Safety Score 14/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 7% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sioux Falls has a 44% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 4.7x 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
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,442.0 | +267.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 526.7 | -59.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 6.6 | 0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 28.0 | +39.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 47.4 | +38.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 444.7 | -137.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,915.2 | +326.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 303.0 | +142.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,174.7 | +23.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 437.6 | +161.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Sioux Falls safer?
Sioux Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Austin 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.