Is Austin or Decatur Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Decatur is safer than Austin (Safety Score 13/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,471 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 6% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Austin has a 23% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 14.5x 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 — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Decatur, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Decatur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,471.0 | +238.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 603.5 | -136.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.4 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 45.6 | +22.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 94.2 | -8.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 454.9 | -147.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,867.5 | +374.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 927.4 | -482.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,532.4 | +665.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 407.8 | +190.9 |
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 3,471 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Decatur has 603.5. 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, IL
Decatur, a Central Illinois city, sits on the Sangamon River and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. It's home to Millikin University and a diverse population, with a significant portion of its residents identifying as African American. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 67,934, Decatur has a total crime rate of 3,471.0 per 100,000 residents.