Is Austin or Sterling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sterling is safer than Austin (Safety Score 15/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,319 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 11% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sterling has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 76.9x 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
Sterling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Sterling, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Sterling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,318.8 | +390.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 398.3 | +69.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 31.2 | +36.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 7.8 | +77.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 359.2 | -52.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,920.5 | +321.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 413.9 | +31.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,311.4 | -113.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 195.2 | +403.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Sterling safer?
Sterling is safer with a total crime rate of 3,319 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Sterling has 398.3. Sterling 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 Sterling, CO
Sterling, Colorado, a plains town and the county seat of Logan County, was founded in 1881 as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad. It is home to Northeastern Junior College, serving a rural population in northeastern Colorado. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 12,806, Sterling has a total crime rate of 3,318.8 per 100,000 residents.