Is Austin or Lancaster Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lancaster is safer than Austin (Safety Score 12/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,537 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 5% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 24.3x 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
Lancaster — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Lancaster, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Lancaster | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,537.0 | +172.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 410.0 | +57.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 14.8 | -8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 39.5 | +28.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 69.2 | +16.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 286.5 | +20.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,127.0 | +114.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 871.9 | -426.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,721.6 | +476.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 533.5 | +65.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Lancaster safer?
Lancaster is safer with a total crime rate of 3,537 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Lancaster has 410.0. Lancaster 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 Lancaster, TX
Lancaster, Texas, a southern Dallas County suburb, was founded in 1852. It's known for its historic town square and as a significant agricultural center, particularly for cotton, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 40,486, Lancaster has a total crime rate of 3,537.0 per 100,000 residents.