Is Austin or Lawrence Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than Austin (Safety Score 59/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 61% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Lawrence has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 11.0x 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
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Lawrence, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Lawrence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,438.6 | +2,270.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 439.7 | +27.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.8 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 31.3 | +36.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 52.5 | +33.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 348.2 | -41.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 998.9 | +2,243.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 72.5 | +372.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 851.6 | +1,346.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 74.8 | +523.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Lawrence safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Lawrence has 439.7. Lawrence 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 Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 per 100,000 residents.