Is Austin or Palo Alto Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palo Alto is safer than Austin (Safety Score 16/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 13% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palo Alto has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 15.1x 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
Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Palo Alto, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Palo Alto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,245.3 | +464.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 212.1 | +255.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.5 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 38.4 | +29.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 53.8 | +31.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 118.3 | +188.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,033.2 | +208.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 225.9 | +219.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,623.0 | -424.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 184.4 | +414.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Palo Alto safer?
Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Palo Alto has 212.1. Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, is a wealthy Silicon Valley hub home to Stanford University. Its residents are highly educated, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 65,079, Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 3,245.3 per 100,000 residents.