Is Austin or South Milwaukee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Milwaukee is safer than Austin (Safety Score 58/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 61% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where South Milwaukee has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 48.8x 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
South Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
South Milwaukee, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | South Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,457.0 | +2,252.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 158.6 | +308.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 5.0 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 19.8 | +47.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 19.8 | +65.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 114.0 | +193.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,298.4 | +1,943.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 44.6 | +400.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,189.4 | +1,008.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 64.4 | +534.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or South Milwaukee safer?
South Milwaukee is safer with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while South Milwaukee has 158.6. South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee, WI
South Milwaukee, hugging Lake Michigan, developed around Bucyrus International, a major manufacturer. This city of roughly 20,000 residents is just south of Milwaukee proper. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 20,178, South Milwaukee has a total crime rate of 1,457.0 per 100,000 residents.