Is Pierre or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pierre is safer than Sioux Falls (Safety Score 28/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,496 per 100,000 versus 3,442 for Sioux Falls — 27% lower. Pierre has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pierre has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Sioux Falls is 15.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pierre — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pierre, SD
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pierre | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,496.0 | 3,442.0 | -946.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 506.4 | 526.7 | -20.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.6 | -6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 72.4 | 28.0 | +44.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.2 | 47.4 | -40.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 426.9 | 444.7 | -17.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,989.6 | 2,915.2 | -925.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 238.8 | 303.0 | -64.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,541.0 | 2,174.7 | -633.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 209.8 | 437.6 | -227.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pierre or Sioux Falls safer?
Pierre is safer with a total crime rate of 2,496 per 100K vs 3,442 for Sioux Falls — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pierre has a violent crime rate of 506.4 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Pierre has lower violent crime.
About Pierre, SD
Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, sits on the Missouri River. Its economy is largely driven by state government and agriculture. As of the 2020 census, its population was 14,091. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 13,822, Pierre has a total crime rate of 2,496.0 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.