Is Austin or Imperial Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Imperial is safer than Austin (Safety Score 98/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 259 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 93% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Imperial has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 44.8x 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
Imperial — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Imperial, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Imperial | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 259.3 | +3,450.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 77.3 | +390.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 9.1 | +58.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 0.0 | +85.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 68.2 | +239.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 182.0 | +3,059.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 31.9 | +413.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 104.6 | +2,093.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 45.5 | +553.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Imperial safer?
Imperial is safer with a total crime rate of 259 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 93% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Imperial has 77.3. Imperial 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 Imperial, CA
Imperial, California, a city in the Imperial Valley near the Mexican border, was incorporated in 1904. Its desert climate supports a significant agricultural industry, with a population around 20,000. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 21,980, Imperial has a total crime rate of 259.3 per 100,000 residents.