Is Austin or Richardson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richardson is safer than Austin (Safety Score 41/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 46% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Richardson has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 8.3x 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
Richardson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Richardson, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Richardson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,986.2 | +1,723.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 152.6 | +314.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.7 | +4.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 8.5 | +59.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 38.2 | +47.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 98.3 | +208.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,833.6 | +1,408.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 220.4 | +224.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,295.3 | +902.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 317.9 | +280.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Richardson safer?
Richardson is safer with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Richardson has 152.6. Richardson 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 Richardson, TX
Richardson, a northern Dallas suburb, is home to the Telecom Corridor, a hub for technology companies. This city of over 120,000 residents boasts a diverse population. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 117,962, Richardson has a total crime rate of 1,986.2 per 100,000 residents.