Is Austin or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Austin (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 16% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 53% lower rate.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,125.4 | +584.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 800.0 | -332.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 8.4 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 64.3 | +3.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 181.6 | -96.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 545.3 | -238.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,325.3 | +916.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 317.2 | +128.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,582.1 | +616.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 426.0 | +172.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.