Is Austin or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Austin (Safety Score 35/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 40% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 3.9x 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
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,212.5 | +1,496.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 728.5 | -261.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.0 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 40.3 | +27.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 209.9 | -124.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 471.4 | -164.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,483.9 | +1,758.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 372.8 | +72.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 851.5 | +1,346.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 259.6 | +339.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.