Is Austin or Palos Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palos Heights is safer than Austin (Safety Score 77/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 925 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 75% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palos Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 86.7x 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
Palos Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Palos Heights, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Palos Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 924.9 | +2,784.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 61.7 | +405.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 35.2 | +32.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 17.6 | +67.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 8.8 | +298.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 863.2 | +2,378.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 88.1 | +357.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 766.3 | +1,431.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 8.8 | +589.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Palos Heights safer?
Palos Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 925 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Palos Heights has 61.7. Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights, IL
Palos Heights, a southwestern Chicago suburb, is home to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. This Cook County community, incorporated in 1959, features a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 11,353, Palos Heights has a total crime rate of 924.9 per 100,000 residents.