Is Gainesville or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sioux Falls is safer than Gainesville (Safety Score 14/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100,000 versus 3,448 for Gainesville — 0% lower. Gainesville has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sioux Falls has a 64% lower rate.
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, FL
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gainesville | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,447.8 | 3,442.0 | +5.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 744.1 | 526.7 | +217.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 6.6 | -1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 85.7 | 28.0 | +57.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 133.3 | 47.4 | +85.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 444.7 | +69.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,703.7 | 2,915.2 | -211.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 307.4 | 303.0 | +4.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,292.9 | 2,174.7 | +118.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.4 | 437.6 | -334.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville or Sioux Falls safer?
Sioux Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100K vs 3,448 for Gainesville — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 744.1 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Sioux Falls has lower violent crime.
About Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is a central North Florida city. Its humid subtropical climate supports a diverse population of over 140,000 residents. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 147,022, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 3,447.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.