Is Austin or Kirkland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kirkland is safer than Austin (Safety Score 38/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,073 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 44% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kirkland has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 10.9x 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
Kirkland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Kirkland, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Kirkland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,073.1 | +1,636.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 60.7 | +406.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.1 | +5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 14.3 | +53.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 9.9 | +75.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 35.3 | +271.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,012.4 | +1,229.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 222.7 | +222.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,543.8 | +654.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 245.9 | +352.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Kirkland safer?
Kirkland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,073 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Kirkland has 60.7. Kirkland 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 Kirkland, WA
Kirkland, a city on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, boasts a vibrant waterfront and arts scene. Once a major steel producer, it's now a affluent residential community. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 90,687, Kirkland has a total crime rate of 2,073.1 per 100,000 residents.