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Austin, TX vs Las Cruces, NM Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Austin crime rate · Las Cruces crime rate

Moving from Austin, TX to Las Cruces, NM?

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Is Austin, TX or Las Cruces, NM Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Austin, TX is safer than Las Cruces, NM (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 5,594 for Las Cruces, NM — 34% lower. Austin has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 45% lower rate.

Note: Austin is 8.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Austin, TX?

Austin — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Las Cruces — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Austin, TX

Austin, TX
Safety Score 11/100
Coverage 984,613
Total Crime Rate 3,709.4
Category Wins 6/7

Las Cruces, NM

Las Cruces, NM
Safety Score 3/100
Coverage 115,977
Total Crime Rate 5,594.2
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Austin Las Cruces Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,709.4 5,594.2 -1,884.8
Violent Crime Rate 467.5 720.8 -253.3
Murder Rate 6.6 12.1 -5.5
Rape Rate 67.6 57.8 +9.9
Robbery Rate 85.4 57.8 +27.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 307.2 592.4 -285.1
Property Crime Rate 3,241.9 4,873.4 -1,631.5
Burglary Rate 445.2 737.2 -292.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,198.1 3,442.9 -1,244.8
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 598.6 693.2 -94.6

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Austin, TX to Las Cruces, NM?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or Las Cruces safer?

Austin, TX is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 5,594 for Las Cruces, NM — a 34% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Las Cruces has 720.8. 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 Las Cruces, NM

Nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces is New Mexico's second-largest city, known for its vibrant Hatch chile industry. Home to New Mexico State University, it boasts a diverse population and a rich history influenced by Spanish and Mexican cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 115,977, Las Cruces has a total crime rate of 5,594.2 per 100,000 residents.

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