Is Austin or Lawton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawton is safer than Austin (Safety Score 13/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,473 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 6% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Austin has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 10.9x 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
Lawton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Lawton, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Lawton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,473.1 | +236.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 820.3 | -352.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 10.0 | -3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 143.0 | -75.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 72.1 | +13.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 595.3 | -288.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,652.7 | +589.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 931.2 | -486.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,491.0 | +707.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 230.6 | +368.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Lawton safer?
Lawton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,473 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Lawton has 820.3. 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 Lawton, OK
Lawton, Oklahoma, is home to Fort Sill, a significant U.S. Army post with a rich history. Located in southwestern Oklahoma, the city is the county seat of Comanche County and a regional hub for the surrounding rural areas. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 90,209, Lawton has a total crime rate of 3,473.1 per 100,000 residents.