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Austin, TX vs El Cajon, CA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Austin crime rate · El Cajon crime rate

Moving from Austin, TX to El Cajon, CA?

An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Is Austin, TX or El Cajon, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, El Cajon, CA is safer than Austin, TX (Safety Score 43/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin, TX — 48% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where El Cajon has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Austin is 9.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Austin, TX?

Austin — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

El Cajon — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Austin, TX

Austin, TX
Safety Score 11/100
Coverage 984,613
Total Crime Rate 3,709.4
Category Wins 1/7

El Cajon, CA

El Cajon, CA
Safety Score 43/100
Coverage 101,983
Total Crime Rate 1,934.6
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Austin El Cajon Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,709.4 1,934.6 +1,774.7
Violent Crime Rate 467.5 434.4 +33.1
Murder Rate 6.6 0.0 +6.6
Rape Rate 67.6 26.5 +41.2
Robbery Rate 85.4 105.9 -20.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 307.2 302.0 +5.2
Property Crime Rate 3,241.9 1,500.3 +1,741.6
Burglary Rate 445.2 154.0 +291.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,198.1 1,083.5 +1,114.6
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 598.6 262.8 +335.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Austin, TX to El Cajon, CA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or El Cajon safer?

El Cajon, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin, TX — a 48% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while El Cajon has 434.4. El Cajon 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 El Cajon, CA

Nestled in a valley east of San Diego, El Cajon boasts a rich history as a stop along the old wagon trails. Today, it's a diverse community with a significant Chaldean American population, reflecting its unique cultural tapestry. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 101,983, El Cajon has a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents.

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