Is Austin or Petaluma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petaluma is safer than Austin (Safety Score 58/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 61% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Petaluma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 16.8x 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
Petaluma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Petaluma, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Petaluma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,444.6 | +2,264.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 271.8 | +195.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 44.5 | +23.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 44.5 | +41.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 182.9 | +124.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,172.8 | +2,069.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 95.7 | +349.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 976.2 | +1,221.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 100.9 | +497.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Petaluma safer?
Petaluma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Petaluma has 271.8. Petaluma 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 Petaluma, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Petaluma is a historic dairy town known for its well-preserved iron-front buildings and a population of around 60,000. It straddles the Petaluma River, flowing into San Pablo Bay. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 58,493, Petaluma has a total crime rate of 1,444.6 per 100,000 residents.