Is Rapid City or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rapid City is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 6/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,516 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 13% lower. Rapid City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rapid City has a 26% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 18.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rapid City, SD
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rapid City | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.0 | 5,219.0 | -703.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 723.8 | 595.3 | +128.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 8.4 | -2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 135.9 | 83.7 | +52.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 103.8 | 108.4 | -4.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.1 | 393.7 | +79.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,792.1 | 4,623.6 | -831.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.4 | 495.6 | -68.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,986.8 | 3,291.8 | -305.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.0 | 836.3 | -458.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rapid City or San Antonio safer?
Rapid City is safer with a total crime rate of 4,516 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rapid City has a violent crime rate of 723.8 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. San Antonio has lower violent crime.
About Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 per 100,000 residents.
About San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.