Is Austin or Port Lavaca Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Port Lavaca is safer than Austin (Safety Score 55/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,557 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 58% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Port Lavaca has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 88.6x 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
Port Lavaca — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Port Lavaca, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Port Lavaca | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,556.9 | +2,152.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 297.0 | +170.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 18.0 | -11.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 63.0 | +4.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 27.0 | +58.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 189.0 | +118.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,259.9 | +1,982.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 207.0 | +238.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 935.9 | +1,262.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 117.0 | +481.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Port Lavaca safer?
Port Lavaca is safer with a total crime rate of 1,557 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Port Lavaca has 297.0. Port Lavaca 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 Port Lavaca, TX
Port Lavaca, a coastal city on Lavaca Bay, was founded in 1840. Its economy historically revolved around shrimping, and it remains a significant port for commercial fishing. The city is the county seat of Calhoun County, with a population just under 12,000. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 11,112, Port Lavaca has a total crime rate of 1,556.9 per 100,000 residents.