Is Austin or Lubbock Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lubbock is safer than Austin (Safety Score 13/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,451 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 7% 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 3.6x 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
Lubbock — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Lubbock, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Lubbock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,450.9 | +258.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 822.2 | -354.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 5.2 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 77.1 | -9.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 115.6 | -30.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 623.2 | -316.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,628.8 | +613.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 538.0 | -92.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,822.9 | +375.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 267.9 | +330.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Lubbock safer?
Lubbock is safer with a total crime rate of 3,451 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Lubbock has 822.2. 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 Lubbock, TX
Lubbock, Texas, the "Hub City," is a West Texas city with a strong agricultural presence, known for its cotton production and as the birthplace of Buddy Holly. It's home to Texas Tech University and boasts a population of over 260,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 269,900, Lubbock has a total crime rate of 3,450.9 per 100,000 residents.