Is Austin or Kelso Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kelso is safer than Austin (Safety Score 36/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 42% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Kelso has a 51% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 78.0x 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
Kelso — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Kelso, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Kelso | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,163.2 | +1,546.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 229.8 | +237.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.9 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 47.5 | +20.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 87.2 | -1.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 87.2 | +220.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,933.4 | +1,308.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 285.3 | +159.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,481.8 | +716.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 166.4 | +432.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Kelso safer?
Kelso is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Kelso has 229.8. Kelso 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 Kelso, WA
Kelso, Washington, a Cowlitz River city founded by Peter Crawford, is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World." Situated in Cowlitz County, it shares a border with Longview, and its population was 12,969 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,620, Kelso has a total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 residents.