Is Austin or Gadsden Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gadsden is safer than Austin (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 15% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 46% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 29.8x 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
Gadsden — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Gadsden, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Gadsden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,159.2 | +550.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 581.6 | -114.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 12.1 | -5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 12.1 | +55.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 48.5 | +37.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 508.9 | -201.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,577.6 | +664.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 293.8 | +151.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,065.7 | +132.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 218.1 | +380.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Gadsden safer?
Gadsden is safer with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Gadsden has 581.6. 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 Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, a city in northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, sits on the Coosa River. It was a major industrial hub, home to Republic Steel, and is the county seat of Etowah County. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 33,015, Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3,159.2 per 100,000 residents.