Is Austin or Pasadena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pasadena is safer than Austin (Safety Score 21/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,919 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 21% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pasadena has a 37% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.8x 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
Pasadena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Pasadena, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Pasadena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,918.8 | +790.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 566.8 | -99.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.1 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 69.6 | -1.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 73.7 | +11.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 418.7 | -111.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,351.9 | +889.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 252.1 | +193.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,677.7 | +520.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 422.2 | +176.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Pasadena safer?
Pasadena is safer with a total crime rate of 2,919 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Pasadena has 566.8. Austin 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 Pasadena, TX
Pasadena, Texas, founded in 1893 after a devastating hurricane, sits southeast of Houston. This large, working-class suburb is a hub for chemical and petrochemical industries along the Houston Ship Channel. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 145,199, Pasadena has a total crime rate of 2,918.8 per 100,000 residents.