Is Austin or Kent Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Kent (Safety Score 11/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,261 for Kent — 13% lower. Austin has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 41% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 7.4x 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
Kent — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Kent, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Kent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,260.8 | -551.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 489.7 | -22.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 5.3 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 64.2 | +3.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 144.3 | -58.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 275.8 | +31.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,771.1 | -529.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 690.7 | -245.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,149.3 | +48.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 931.1 | -332.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Kent safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,261 for Kent — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Kent has 489.7. 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 Kent, WA
Kent, Washington, a diverse city in the Green River Valley, was once a major agricultural producer, especially known for hops. It's now the fourth largest city in King County by population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 132,324, Kent has a total crime rate of 4,260.8 per 100,000 residents.