Is Austin or Jacksonville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jacksonville is safer than Austin (Safety Score 30/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,406 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 35% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Jacksonville has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 57.5x 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
Jacksonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Jacksonville, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Jacksonville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,406.3 | +1,303.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 303.7 | +163.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 11.7 | -5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 81.8 | -14.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 29.2 | +56.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 181.1 | +126.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,102.6 | +1,139.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 461.4 | -16.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,489.3 | +708.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 151.9 | +446.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Jacksonville safer?
Jacksonville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,406 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Jacksonville has 303.7. Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, IL
Jacksonville, Illinois, a city of 17,000 in Morgan County, is home to Illinois College, founded in 1829. It sits on the historic alignment of U.S. Route 67, roughly 35 miles west of Springfield. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 17,122, Jacksonville has a total crime rate of 2,406.3 per 100,000 residents.