Is Austin or Novato Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Novato is safer than Austin (Safety Score 52/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,608 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 57% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Novato has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 19.2x 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
Novato — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Novato, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Novato | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,607.6 | +2,101.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 253.6 | +213.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 33.2 | +34.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 46.8 | +38.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 173.6 | +133.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,353.9 | +1,888.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 78.0 | +367.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,114.0 | +1,084.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 161.9 | +436.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Novato safer?
Novato is safer with a total crime rate of 1,608 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Novato has 253.6. Novato 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 Novato, CA
Novato, a Marin County city, was once home to Hamilton Air Force Base. Today, its diverse population of over 50,000 resides in a landscape dotted with wetlands and rolling hills. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 51,258, Novato has a total crime rate of 1,607.6 per 100,000 residents.