Is Austin or Jackson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Jackson (Safety Score 11/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,810 for Jackson — 23% lower. Austin has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Austin has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 32.1x 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
Jackson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Jackson, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Jackson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,810.5 | -1,101.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 1,074.8 | -607.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 9.8 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 159.6 | -92.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 68.4 | +17.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 824.0 | -516.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,735.7 | -493.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 491.8 | -46.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,901.9 | -703.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 342.0 | +256.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Jackson safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,810 for Jackson — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Jackson has 1,074.8. 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 Jackson, MI
Jackson, Michigan, a city in the south-central Lower Peninsula, is historically known as the birthplace of the Republican Party. It has a diverse population of approximately 31,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 30,704, Jackson has a total crime rate of 4,810.5 per 100,000 residents.