Is Austin or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Austin (Safety Score 18/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 17% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 46% lower rate.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,088.3 | +621.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 435.0 | +32.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 12.2 | -5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 124.2 | -56.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 87.7 | -2.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 210.7 | +96.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,653.4 | +588.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 404.5 | +40.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,706.1 | +492.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 542.8 | +55.8 |
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 3,088 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 Columbus has 435.0. 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, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 per 100,000 residents.