Is Austin or Portsmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Portsmouth (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,613 for Portsmouth — 20% lower. Austin has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 10.1x 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, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,613.2 | -903.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 752.4 | -284.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 37.1 | -30.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 36.0 | +31.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 167.8 | -82.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 511.6 | -204.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,860.8 | -618.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 424.1 | +21.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,920.1 | -721.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 516.7 | +81.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Portsmouth safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,613 for Portsmouth — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Portsmouth has 752.4. 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 Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth, Virginia, established in 1752, sits across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk. Home to the historic Gosport Shipyard, it's a diverse city with a significant African American population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 97,156, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 4,613.2 per 100,000 residents.