Is Austin or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than Austin (Safety Score 62/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,328 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 64% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 42.0x 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
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Watertown, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,328.1 | +2,381.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 303.2 | +164.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 64.1 | +3.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 0.0 | +85.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 239.1 | +68.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,024.9 | +2,217.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 68.3 | +376.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 888.2 | +1,309.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 68.3 | +530.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,328 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Watertown has 303.2. Watertown 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 Watertown, SD
Watertown, named for its many lakes, is a regional hub in northeastern South Dakota. Home to Terry Redlin's art center, the city has a population of around 23,000. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 23,417, Watertown has a total crime rate of 1,328.1 per 100,000 residents.