Is Austin or Chelsea Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chelsea is safer than Austin (Safety Score 30/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 35% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Chelsea has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 25.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Chelsea, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Chelsea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,414.7 | +1,294.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 978.9 | -511.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 5.2 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 80.9 | -13.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 120.1 | -34.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 772.7 | -465.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,435.8 | +1,806.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 148.8 | +296.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,151.2 | +1,046.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 135.8 | +462.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Chelsea safer?
Chelsea is safer with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Chelsea has 978.9. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Chelsea, MA
Chelsea, a dense urban gateway city across the Mystic River from Boston, boasts a rich immigrant history. Settled in 1624, it was once home to a vibrant industrial port and is now Massachusetts' smallest city by land area. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 38,307, Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2,414.7 per 100,000 residents.