Is San Antonio or Sterling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sterling is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 51/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,653 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 68% lower. San Antonio has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sterling has a 81% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 105.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sterling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio, TX
Sterling, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Antonio | Sterling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,219.0 | 1,652.8 | +3,566.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 595.3 | 319.4 | +275.9 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 20.8 | -12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 83.7 | 97.2 | -13.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.4 | 20.8 | +87.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 393.7 | 180.6 | +213.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,623.6 | 1,333.3 | +3,290.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 495.6 | 333.3 | +162.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,291.8 | 840.3 | +2,451.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 836.3 | 159.7 | +676.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio or Sterling safer?
Sterling is safer with a total crime rate of 1,653 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Antonio has a violent crime rate of 595.3 per 100K while Sterling has 319.4. Sterling has lower violent crime.
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.
About Sterling, IL
Sterling, Illinois, a city in Whiteside County along the Rock River, was once known as the "Hardware Capital of the World." This industrial heritage is reflected in its diverse population of around 15,000 residents. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 14,400, Sterling has a total crime rate of 1,652.8 per 100,000 residents.