Is Austin or Kearney Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kearney is safer than Austin (Safety Score 43/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 48% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kearney has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 28.5x 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
Kearney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Kearney, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Kearney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,926.1 | +1,783.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 301.2 | +166.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.9 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 98.5 | -30.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 17.4 | +68.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 182.5 | +124.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,624.9 | +1,617.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 168.0 | +277.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,349.8 | +848.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 107.2 | +491.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Kearney safer?
Kearney is safer with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Kearney has 301.2. Kearney 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 Kearney, NE
Kearney, Nebraska, a city bisected by the historic Transcontinental Railroad, sits on the Great Platte River Road. It's home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, contributing to a youthful demographic. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 34,525, Kearney has a total crime rate of 1,926.1 per 100,000 residents.