Is Austin or Normal Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Normal is safer than Austin (Safety Score 44/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 49% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Normal has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 18.7x 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
Normal — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Normal, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Normal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,879.3 | +1,830.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 329.1 | +138.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 3.8 | +2.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 95.1 | -27.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 15.2 | +70.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 214.9 | +92.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,550.2 | +1,691.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 232.1 | +213.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,232.6 | +965.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 85.6 | +513.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Normal safer?
Normal is safer with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Normal has 329.1. Normal 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 Normal, IL
Normal, Illinois, home to Illinois State University, is a college town in McLean County. Situated in central Illinois, its population is around 55,000. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 52,573, Normal has a total crime rate of 1,879.3 per 100,000 residents.