Is Austin or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheeling is safer than Austin (Safety Score 76/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 972 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 74% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wheeling has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 26.4x 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
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Wheeling, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 971.8 | +2,737.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 64.4 | +403.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.7 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 29.5 | +38.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 10.7 | +74.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 18.8 | +288.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 907.4 | +2,334.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 217.4 | +227.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 585.2 | +1,612.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 104.7 | +493.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Wheeling safer?
Wheeling is safer with a total crime rate of 972 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Wheeling has 64.4. Wheeling 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 Wheeling, IL
Wheeling, Illinois, once home to a significant German immigrant population, is a village in Cook and Lake counties. Situated about 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, it is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 37,251, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 971.8 per 100,000 residents.