Is Austin or Parkersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Parkersburg is safer than Austin (Safety Score 13/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,481 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 6% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Parkersburg has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 34.2x 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
Parkersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Parkersburg, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Parkersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,480.8 | +228.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 263.8 | +203.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 65.9 | +1.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 20.8 | +64.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 173.5 | +133.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,217.1 | +24.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 315.8 | +129.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,720.8 | -522.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 180.5 | +418.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Parkersburg safer?
Parkersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,481 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Parkersburg has 263.8. Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg, a city in Wood County, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. Once a key stop on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, it has a dwindling population of just under 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 28,815, Parkersburg has a total crime rate of 3,480.8 per 100,000 residents.