Is Austin or Morro Bay Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morro Bay is safer than Austin (Safety Score 71/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 71% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Morro Bay has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 93.5x 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
Morro Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Morro Bay, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Morro Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,091.9 | +2,617.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 303.8 | +163.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 66.5 | +1.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 19.0 | +66.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 208.9 | +98.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 788.1 | +2,453.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 38.0 | +407.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 702.6 | +1,495.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 47.5 | +551.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Morro Bay safer?
Morro Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Morro Bay has 303.8. Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay, CA
Morro Bay, a small coastal city in San Luis Obispo County, is famous for Morro Rock, a volcanic plug that's part of the Nine Sisters. Its harbor supports a fishing fleet and draws tourists to its waterfront. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 10,532, Morro Bay has a total crime rate of 1,091.9 per 100,000 residents.