Is Austin or Gainesville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gainesville is safer than Austin (Safety Score 14/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 7% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Austin has a 37% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.7x 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
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Gainesville, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Gainesville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,447.8 | +261.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 744.1 | -276.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.8 | +1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 85.7 | -18.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 133.3 | -47.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 514.2 | -207.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,703.7 | +538.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 307.4 | +137.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,292.9 | -94.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 103.4 | +495.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Gainesville safer?
Gainesville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Gainesville has 744.1. 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 Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is a central North Florida city. Its humid subtropical climate supports a diverse population of over 140,000 residents. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 147,022, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 3,447.8 per 100,000 residents.