Is Austin or East Palo Alto Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Palo Alto is safer than Austin (Safety Score 28/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 32% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 35.6x 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 Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
East Palo Alto, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | East Palo Alto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,526.8 | +1,182.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 607.3 | -139.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.2 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 94.0 | -26.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 213.3 | -127.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 292.8 | +14.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,919.5 | +1,322.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 108.5 | +336.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,352.0 | +846.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 459.1 | +139.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or East Palo Alto safer?
East Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while East Palo Alto has 607.3. 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 East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto, California, a city incorporated in 1983, sits on the San Francisco Bay's western shore. It is the only city in San Mateo County that primarily has a Black and Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 27,663, East Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 2,526.8 per 100,000 residents.