Is Austin or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 20% lower. Austin has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Austin has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.4x 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
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Kansas City, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,655.0 | -945.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 1,048.5 | -581.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 12.4 | -5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 67.8 | -0.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 93.9 | -8.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 873.1 | -565.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,606.5 | -364.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 442.7 | +2.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,271.7 | -73.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 892.0 | -293.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Kansas City safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,048.5. 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 Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, Kansas, part of the larger KC metro area, is the county seat of Wyandotte County. Its historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood reflects the city's rich Eastern European immigrant heritage. Situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it's a key transportation hub. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 153,363, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 4,655.0 per 100,000 residents.