Is Austin or Morgantown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morgantown is safer than Austin (Safety Score 36/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 41% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Morgantown has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 32.3x 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
Morgantown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Morgantown, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Morgantown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,173.1 | +1,536.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 213.0 | +254.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 13.1 | -6.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 59.0 | +8.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 19.7 | +65.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 118.0 | +189.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,960.0 | +1,281.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 114.7 | +330.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,809.2 | +388.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 36.1 | +562.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Morgantown safer?
Morgantown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Morgantown has 213.0. Morgantown 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 Morgantown, WV
Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, is a city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the Monongahela River. Its population of roughly 30,000 is significantly boosted by its large student body, shaping a vibrant yet often transient community. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 30,510, Morgantown has a total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 residents.