Is Austin or Sweetwater Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sweetwater is safer than Austin (Safety Score 52/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,631 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 56% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 96.7x 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
Sweetwater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Sweetwater, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Sweetwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,630.7 | +2,078.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 510.8 | -43.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 19.7 | -13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 117.9 | -50.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 49.1 | +36.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 314.3 | -7.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,119.8 | +2,122.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 265.2 | +179.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 756.4 | +1,441.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 98.2 | +500.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Sweetwater safer?
Sweetwater is safer with a total crime rate of 1,631 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Sweetwater has 510.8. 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 Sweetwater, TX
Sweetwater, Texas, in Nolan County, is a West Texas city historically known for its rattlesnake roundups. It's a small community situated along I-20, with a population of around 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 10,180, Sweetwater has a total crime rate of 1,630.7 per 100,000 residents.