Is Austin or Lakewood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Lakewood (Safety Score 11/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 5,884 for Lakewood — 37% lower. Austin has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakewood has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.3x 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
Lakewood — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Lakewood, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Lakewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 5,883.8 | -2,174.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 790.4 | -322.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.6 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 59.7 | +8.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 137.9 | -52.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 587.0 | -279.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 5,093.4 | -1,851.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 588.3 | -143.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 3,732.0 | -1,533.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 773.1 | -174.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Lakewood safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 5,884 for Lakewood — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Lakewood has 790.4. 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 Lakewood, CO
Lakewood, Colorado, a city of over 150,000 residents, emerged from the historic Villa Park, annexed in 1955. It spans a diverse landscape at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, west of Denver. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 155,868, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 5,883.8 per 100,000 residents.