Is Austin or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Austin (Safety Score 74/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 73% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbus has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 40.0x 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
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Columbus, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,012.4 | +2,697.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 85.4 | +382.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 44.7 | +22.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 4.1 | +81.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 36.6 | +270.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 927.0 | +2,314.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 93.5 | +351.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 768.5 | +1,429.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 65.1 | +533.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Columbus safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Columbus has 85.4. Columbus 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 Columbus, NE
Columbus, Nebraska, a city named after Christopher Columbus, sits on the Loup and Platte Rivers. It is the county seat of Platte County and has a population of over 24,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 24,595, Columbus has a total crime rate of 1,012.4 per 100,000 residents.