Is Austin or Hattiesburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hattiesburg is safer than Austin (Safety Score 11/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,687 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 1% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hattiesburg has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 20.4x 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
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Hattiesburg, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Hattiesburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,686.8 | +22.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 221.5 | +246.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 12.4 | -5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 39.3 | +28.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 33.1 | +52.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 136.6 | +170.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,465.3 | -223.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 370.6 | +74.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,873.3 | -675.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 221.5 | +377.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Hattiesburg safer?
Hattiesburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,687 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Hattiesburg has 221.5. Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 per 100,000 residents.