Is Austin or Hayward Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Hayward (Safety Score 11/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,134 for Hayward — 10% lower. Austin has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 51% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.4x 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
Hayward — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Hayward, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Hayward | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,133.8 | -424.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 477.1 | -9.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.8 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 46.9 | +20.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 174.0 | -88.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 248.3 | +58.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,656.7 | -414.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 364.4 | +80.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,915.7 | +282.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 1,376.6 | -778.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Hayward safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,134 for Hayward — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Hayward has 477.1. 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 Hayward, CA
Hayward, a diverse city in Alameda County, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Home to California State University, East Bay, it was once a major agricultural producer, especially known for its cherries and tomatoes. Its population is over 160,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 153,419, Hayward has a total crime rate of 4,133.8 per 100,000 residents.