Is Austin or Fort Payne Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Payne is safer than Austin (Safety Score 47/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 52% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Payne has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 65.7x 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
Fort Payne — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Fort Payne, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Fort Payne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,775.2 | +1,934.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 160.2 | +307.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 20.0 | +47.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 0.0 | +85.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 140.2 | +167.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,615.1 | +1,626.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 287.0 | +158.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,194.6 | +1,003.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 133.5 | +465.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Fort Payne safer?
Fort Payne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Fort Payne has 160.2. Fort Payne 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 Fort Payne, AL
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 14,984, Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents.