Is Austin or Elgin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elgin is safer than Austin (Safety Score 61/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 63% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Elgin has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 8.7x 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
Elgin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Elgin, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Elgin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,368.7 | +2,340.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 266.7 | +200.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.4 | +2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 64.7 | +3.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 31.0 | +54.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 166.6 | +140.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,102.1 | +2,139.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 211.7 | +233.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 804.4 | +1,393.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 85.9 | +512.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Elgin safer?
Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Elgin has 266.7. Elgin 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 Elgin, IL
Elgin, Illinois, once known as "Watch City" due to the Elgin National Watch Company, is a Fox River community. Located in Kane and Cook counties, it's home to a diverse population of over 114,000 residents. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 112,879, Elgin has a total crime rate of 1,368.7 per 100,000 residents.