Is Austin or Columbia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Austin (Safety Score 19/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 17% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 62% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 19.9x 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
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Columbia, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Columbia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,060.3 | +649.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 573.2 | -105.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 12.2 | -5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 52.7 | +15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 32.4 | +53.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 476.0 | -168.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,487.1 | +754.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 923.6 | -478.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,403.6 | +794.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 160.0 | +438.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Columbia safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Columbia has 573.2. 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 Columbia, TN
Columbia, the "Dimple of the Universe," is a historic Southern city known for its Antebellum architecture and as the birthplace of James K. Polk. Situated on the Duck River in Maury County, it's a growing community of over 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 49,374, Columbia has a total crime rate of 3,060.3 per 100,000 residents.