Is Austin or Redwood City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Redwood City is safer than Austin (Safety Score 38/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,092 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 44% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Redwood City has a 62% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 12.3x 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
Redwood City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Redwood City, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Redwood City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,092.2 | +1,617.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 472.2 | -4.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.5 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 53.7 | +13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 137.4 | -52.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 278.5 | +28.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,620.0 | +1,621.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 118.7 | +326.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,246.6 | +951.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 254.8 | +343.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Redwood City safer?
Redwood City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,092 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Redwood City has 472.2. 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 Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, was once a major lumber port. It sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, with a diverse population and a significant Latin American community. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 80,060, Redwood City has a total crime rate of 2,092.2 per 100,000 residents.