Is Austin or St. Joseph Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than St. Joseph (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,579 for St. Joseph — 19% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Joseph has a 37% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 14.0x 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
St. Joseph — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
St. Joseph, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | St. Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,579.5 | -870.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 728.6 | -261.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.3 | +2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 178.2 | -110.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 54.2 | +31.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 491.9 | -184.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,850.9 | -609.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 536.1 | -90.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,774.5 | -576.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 540.4 | +58.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or St. Joseph safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,579 for St. Joseph — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while St. Joseph has 728.6. 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 St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, Missouri, a city on the Missouri River, was the starting point of the Pony Express. This Buchanan County seat is located across from Kansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 70,139, St. Joseph has a total crime rate of 4,579.5 per 100,000 residents.