Is Austin or Decatur Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Decatur is safer than Austin (Safety Score 21/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 21% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Decatur has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 16.8x 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
Decatur — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Decatur, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Decatur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,915.5 | +793.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 606.7 | -139.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 8.5 | -1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 54.7 | +13.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 44.4 | +41.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 499.0 | -191.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,308.9 | +933.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 193.1 | +252.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,833.8 | +364.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 282.0 | +316.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Decatur safer?
Decatur is safer with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Decatur has 606.7. 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 Decatur, AL
Decatur, "The River City," sits on the Tennessee River in Morgan County. This North Alabama city, historically a railroad hub, is now home to a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 58,514, Decatur has a total crime rate of 2,915.5 per 100,000 residents.