Is Austin or Richland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richland is safer than Austin (Safety Score 35/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,190 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 41% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Richland has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 15.2x 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
Richland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Richland, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Richland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,190.4 | +1,519.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 250.3 | +217.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.5 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 61.8 | +5.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 32.4 | +53.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 154.5 | +152.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,940.2 | +1,301.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 233.3 | +211.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,432.0 | +766.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 275.0 | +323.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Richland safer?
Richland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,190 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Richland has 250.3. Richland 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 Richland, WA
Richland, a city in southeastern Washington at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers, was a key site for the Manhattan Project. Its population is around 60,000, with a notable number of engineers and scientists. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 64,736, Richland has a total crime rate of 2,190.4 per 100,000 residents.