Is Austin or East Lansing Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Lansing is safer than Austin (Safety Score 58/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,440 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 61% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where East Lansing has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 19.5x 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
East Lansing — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
East Lansing, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | East Lansing | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,440.4 | +2,269.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 219.9 | +247.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.0 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 37.6 | +30.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 13.9 | +71.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 164.5 | +142.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,220.5 | +2,021.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 63.4 | +381.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 984.7 | +1,213.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 172.4 | +426.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or East Lansing safer?
East Lansing is safer with a total crime rate of 1,440 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while East Lansing has 219.9. East Lansing 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 East Lansing, MI
East Lansing, Michigan, home to Michigan State University, is a vibrant college town in the southern Lower Peninsula. Its population is largely young adults, and the city's culture is deeply intertwined with university life, including the Spartans' athletic traditions. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 50,472, East Lansing has a total crime rate of 1,440.4 per 100,000 residents.