Is Austin or Elgin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elgin is safer than Austin (Safety Score 51/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,642 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 56% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Elgin has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 74.2x 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, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Elgin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,642.1 | +2,067.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 173.2 | +294.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.5 | -0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 45.2 | +22.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 45.2 | +40.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 75.3 | +231.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,468.8 | +1,773.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 278.7 | +166.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 986.7 | +1,211.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 203.4 | +395.2 |
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 1,642 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Elgin has 173.2. 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, TX
Elgin, known as the "Brick Capital of the Southwest," is a city in Bastrop and Travis counties. It's a small, predominantly Hispanic community situated along U.S. Route 290. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 13,276, Elgin has a total crime rate of 1,642.1 per 100,000 residents.