Is Austin or Sparks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sparks is safer than Austin (Safety Score 20/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 20% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sparks has a 34% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 8.9x 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
Sparks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Sparks, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Sparks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,979.1 | +730.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 395.3 | +72.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.5 | +2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 83.9 | -16.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 56.0 | +29.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 250.0 | +57.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,583.8 | +658.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 301.4 | +143.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,964.7 | +233.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 317.7 | +280.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Sparks safer?
Sparks is safer with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Sparks has 395.3. Sparks 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 Sparks, NV
Sparks, Nevada, a city east of Reno, was once known as "The Crossroads of the West" due to its railroad heritage. With a population exceeding 100,000, it's a significant part of the Truckee Meadows region. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 110,807, Sparks has a total crime rate of 2,979.1 per 100,000 residents.