Is Austin or Portsmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portsmouth is safer than Austin (Safety Score 96/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 358 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 90% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portsmouth has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 56.0x 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
Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Portsmouth, RI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 358.4 | +3,351.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 11.4 | +456.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 5.7 | +62.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 0.0 | +85.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 5.7 | +301.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 347.0 | +2,894.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 39.8 | +405.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 284.4 | +1,913.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 22.8 | +575.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Portsmouth safer?
Portsmouth is safer with a total crime rate of 358 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Portsmouth has 11.4. Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, RI
Portsmouth, RI, a coastal town on Aquidneck Island, was settled in 1638 by religious dissidents. Its scenic waters are home to numerous sailing events and a significant portion of its residents commute to nearby cities. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 17,579, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 358.4 per 100,000 residents.