Is Austin or Odessa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Odessa is safer than Austin (Safety Score 36/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 42% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Odessa has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 8.5x 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
Odessa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Odessa, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Odessa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,163.1 | +1,546.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 320.6 | +146.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 3.5 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 53.4 | +14.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 38.8 | +46.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 220.6 | +86.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,842.5 | +1,399.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 219.8 | +225.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,368.5 | +829.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 254.2 | +344.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Odessa safer?
Odessa is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Odessa has 320.6. Odessa 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 Odessa, TX
Odessa, named after the Ukrainian city, is a West Texas hub in the Permian Basin. This arid region is a major center for oil and gas production, drawing a diverse, largely working-class population. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 116,039, Odessa has a total crime rate of 2,163.1 per 100,000 residents.