Is Austin or Forest Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Forest Lake is safer than Austin (Safety Score 53/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 57% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Forest Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 47.6x 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
Forest Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Forest Lake, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Forest Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,595.7 | +2,113.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 120.9 | +346.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 19.3 | +48.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 4.8 | +80.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 96.7 | +210.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,474.9 | +1,767.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 154.7 | +290.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,213.7 | +984.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 106.4 | +492.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Forest Lake safer?
Forest Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Forest Lake has 120.9. Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake, MN, a northern suburb of St. Paul, was once a popular resort town. Situated around the lake of the same name, its population was 20,612 as of 2020. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 20,680, Forest Lake has a total crime rate of 1,595.7 per 100,000 residents.