Is Austin or Federal Way Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Federal Way (Safety Score 11/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,918 for Federal Way — 25% lower. Austin has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 10.2x 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
Federal Way — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Federal Way, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Federal Way | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,917.7 | -1,208.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 545.4 | -77.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 5.2 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 51.7 | +15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 150.1 | -64.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 338.4 | -31.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 4,372.3 | -1,130.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 573.3 | -128.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,655.5 | -457.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 1,143.5 | -544.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Federal Way safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,918 for Federal Way — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Federal Way has 545.4. 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 Federal Way, WA
Federal Way, a Puget Sound city, was once home to extensive timber operations. This diverse community, part of King County, is now a bustling suburban hub with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 96,631, Federal Way has a total crime rate of 4,917.7 per 100,000 residents.