Is Austin or Portage Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portage is safer than Austin (Safety Score 15/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,252 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 12% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 19.9x 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
Portage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Portage, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Portage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,252.0 | +457.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 277.2 | +190.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 48.6 | +19.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 20.2 | +65.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 208.4 | +98.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,974.8 | +267.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 269.1 | +176.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,545.7 | -347.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 159.9 | +438.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Portage safer?
Portage is safer with a total crime rate of 3,252 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Portage has 277.2. Portage 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 Portage, MI
Portage, Michigan, a Kalamazoo suburb, grew significantly after World War II. It's home to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, and its population is predominantly white, with a median age of around 40. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 49,416, Portage has a total crime rate of 3,252.0 per 100,000 residents.