Is Austin or Muscle Shoals Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Muscle Shoals is safer than Austin (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,171 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 15% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Muscle Shoals has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 56.3x 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
Muscle Shoals — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Muscle Shoals, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Muscle Shoals | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,171.3 | +538.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 188.6 | +278.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 40.0 | +27.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 17.1 | +68.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 125.7 | +181.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,982.7 | +259.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 114.3 | +330.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,685.6 | -487.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 182.9 | +415.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Muscle Shoals safer?
Muscle Shoals is safer with a total crime rate of 3,171 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Muscle Shoals has 188.6. Muscle Shoals 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 Muscle Shoals, AL
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a small city nestled by the Tennessee River, is renowned for its legendary recording studios, where countless music icons created hits. This Lauderdale County city has a population of around 16,000. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 17,501, Muscle Shoals has a total crime rate of 3,171.3 per 100,000 residents.