Is Austin or Wood River Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wood River is safer than Austin (Safety Score 41/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,987 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 46% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wood River has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 96.4x 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
Wood River — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Wood River, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Wood River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,987.1 | +1,722.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 274.1 | +193.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 107.7 | -40.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 29.4 | +56.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 137.0 | +170.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,713.0 | +1,528.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 391.5 | +53.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,204.0 | +994.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 117.5 | +481.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Wood River safer?
Wood River is safer with a total crime rate of 1,987 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Wood River has 274.1. Wood River 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 Wood River, IL
Wood River, Illinois, a city in Madison County, was founded in 1907 due to the growth of the Standard Oil refinery. Situated along the Mississippi River, its population is approximately 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 10,216, Wood River has a total crime rate of 1,987.1 per 100,000 residents.