Is Austin or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Austin (Safety Score 18/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 17% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 12.6x 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
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,082.8 | +626.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 613.0 | -145.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 16.7 | -10.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 52.6 | +15.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 64.1 | +21.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 479.6 | -172.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,469.8 | +772.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 613.0 | -167.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,651.7 | +546.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 205.2 | +393.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. 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 Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.