Is Austin or Ferndale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ferndale is safer than Austin (Safety Score 49/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 54% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ferndale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 60.4x 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
Ferndale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Ferndale, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Ferndale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,706.3 | +2,003.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 104.3 | +363.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 24.6 | +43.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 12.3 | +73.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 67.5 | +239.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,601.9 | +1,640.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 233.2 | +211.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,295.0 | +903.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 73.7 | +525.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Ferndale safer?
Ferndale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Ferndale has 104.3. Ferndale 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 Ferndale, WA
Nestled on the Nooksack River, Ferndale, WA is a town of over 13,000 residents, known for its historic Pioneer Park. The town's early economy was driven by timber and agriculture. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 16,293, Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1,706.3 per 100,000 residents.