Is Austin or Laurel Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Laurel (Safety Score 11/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,840 for Laurel — 23% lower. Austin has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 58.2x 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
Laurel — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Laurel, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Laurel | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,839.9 | -1,130.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 1,051.9 | -584.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 23.6 | -17.0 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 100.5 | -32.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 94.6 | -9.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 833.2 | -526.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,788.0 | -546.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 715.1 | -269.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,700.6 | -502.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 372.3 | +226.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Laurel safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,840 for Laurel — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Laurel has 1,051.9. 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 Laurel, MS
Laurel, Mississippi, a city in Jones County, is known for its historic downtown, featured in a popular home renovation show. Situated in the Pine Belt region, it has a population of around 18,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 16,922, Laurel has a total crime rate of 4,839.9 per 100,000 residents.