Is Austin or Durham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Durham (Safety Score 11/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,420 for Durham — 16% lower. Austin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 3.3x 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
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Durham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,420.3 | -710.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 620.6 | -153.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 12.3 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 57.3 | +10.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 160.9 | -75.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 388.7 | -81.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,799.7 | -557.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 450.4 | -5.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,725.4 | -527.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 623.9 | -25.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Durham safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,420 for Durham — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Durham has 620.6. 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 Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents.