Is Austin or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Austin is safer than Houston (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 32% lower. Austin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 2.4x 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
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 5,441.7 | -1,732.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 1,148.3 | -680.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 13.8 | -7.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 73.0 | -5.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 274.0 | -188.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 787.4 | -480.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 4,293.5 | -1,051.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 644.8 | -199.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,945.7 | -747.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 703.0 | -104.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Houston safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. 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 Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.