Is Austin or Urbandale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbandale is safer than Austin (Safety Score 84/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 726 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 80% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbandale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 20.9x 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
Urbandale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Urbandale, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Urbandale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 725.8 | +2,983.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 91.3 | +376.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 10.6 | +57.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 2.1 | +83.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 76.4 | +230.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 634.6 | +2,607.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 82.8 | +362.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 411.7 | +1,786.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 140.1 | +458.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Urbandale safer?
Urbandale is safer with a total crime rate of 726 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 80% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Urbandale has 91.3. Urbandale 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 Urbandale, IA
Urbandale, a Des Moines suburb, was once home to the Hawkeye Six, an early Iowa interurban line. Its population of over 45,000 residents enjoys a blend of residential areas and commercial developments. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 47,119, Urbandale has a total crime rate of 725.8 per 100,000 residents.