Is Austin or Merced Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Merced is safer than Austin (Safety Score 12/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,577 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 4% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 10.2x 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
Merced — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Merced, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Merced | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,577.3 | +132.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 784.8 | -317.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.3 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 103.0 | -35.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 166.5 | -81.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 507.9 | -200.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,792.6 | +449.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 569.3 | -124.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,738.2 | +459.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 485.0 | +113.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Merced safer?
Merced is safer with a total crime rate of 3,577 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Merced has 784.8. 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 Merced, CA
Merced, a Central Valley city known for its proximity to Yosemite, serves as a significant agricultural hub. This community, home to a University of California campus, experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 96,077, Merced has a total crime rate of 3,577.3 per 100,000 residents.