Is Austin or New Bern Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Bern is safer than Austin (Safety Score 41/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 47% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where New Bern has a 50% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 30.3x 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
New Bern — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
New Bern, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | New Bern | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,978.6 | +1,730.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 362.5 | +105.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 12.3 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 33.8 | +33.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 43.0 | +42.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 273.4 | +33.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,616.1 | +1,625.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 273.4 | +171.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,293.5 | +904.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 49.2 | +549.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or New Bern safer?
New Bern is safer with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while New Bern has 362.5. New Bern 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 New Bern, NC
New Bern, North Carolina, a colonial capital, sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. This Craven County seat is home to Tryon Palace and a population of around 30,000. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 32,548, New Bern has a total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 residents.