Is Austin or Hickory Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hickory is safer than Austin (Safety Score 16/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 13% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hickory has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 22.0x 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
Hickory — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Hickory | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,234.0 | +475.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 409.6 | +57.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.2 | +4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 24.6 | +43.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 56.0 | +29.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 324.5 | -17.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,824.4 | +417.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 409.6 | +35.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,150.8 | +47.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 264.1 | +334.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Hickory safer?
Hickory is safer with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Hickory has 409.6. Hickory 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 Hickory, NC
Nestled in the Catawba Valley, Hickory is a city of around 43,000 residents known for its furniture manufacturing heritage. It sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering scenic views and outdoor access. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 44,682, Hickory has a total crime rate of 3,234.0 per 100,000 residents.