Is Ruston or Shreveport Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ruston is safer than Shreveport (Safety Score 14/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100,000 versus 5,220 for Shreveport — 35% lower. Ruston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Ruston has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Shreveport is 7.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ruston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Shreveport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ruston, LA
Shreveport, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ruston | Shreveport | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,387.4 | 5,220.1 | -1,832.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 431.3 | 1,229.6 | -798.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.5 | 26.8 | -13.4 |
| Rape Rate | 22.5 | 83.4 | -60.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 40.4 | 80.0 | -39.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 350.4 | 1,038.3 | -687.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,956.1 | 3,990.5 | -1,034.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 359.4 | 781.3 | -421.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,412.5 | 2,628.9 | -216.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 184.2 | 580.3 | -396.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ruston or Shreveport safer?
Ruston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100K vs 5,220 for Shreveport — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ruston has a violent crime rate of 431.3 per 100K while Shreveport has 1,229.6. Ruston has lower violent crime.
About Ruston, LA
Ruston, Louisiana, is home to Louisiana Tech University, a public research institution. Situated in Lincoln Parish, it's a small city in north-central Louisiana, known for its annual Peach Festival. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 22,259, Ruston has a total crime rate of 3,387.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Shreveport, LA
Shreveport, a major city in Northwest Louisiana, sits on the Red River. Historically a river port known for its ties to the oil industry, it's a diverse city with a significant African American population. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 175,092, Shreveport has a total crime rate of 5,220.1 per 100,000 residents.