Is Austin or Merriam Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Merriam (Safety Score 11/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 6,022 for Merriam — 38% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Merriam has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 91.2x 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
Merriam — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Merriam, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Merriam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 6,021.9 | -2,312.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 435.4 | +32.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 9.3 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 74.1 | -6.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 18.5 | +66.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 333.5 | -26.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 5,586.4 | -2,344.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 315.0 | +130.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 4,261.6 | -2,063.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 1,009.8 | -411.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Merriam safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 6,022 for Merriam — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Merriam has 435.4. Merriam 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 Merriam, KS
Merriam, Kansas, a first-tier suburb of Kansas City, was once home to Merriam Park, a popular late 19th-century amusement park. Today, this city in Johnson County is known for its diverse housing stock and proximity to major highways. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 10,794, Merriam has a total crime rate of 6,021.9 per 100,000 residents.