Is Austin or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richmond is safer than Austin (Safety Score 11/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,685 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 1% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 8.7x 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
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Richmond, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,685.5 | +23.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 923.1 | -455.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.9 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 21.2 | +46.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 231.0 | -145.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 663.0 | -355.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,762.4 | +479.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 128.7 | +316.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,653.2 | +544.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 980.4 | -381.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Richmond safer?
Richmond is safer with a total crime rate of 3,685 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Richmond has 923.1. 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 Richmond, CA
Richmond, California, a Bay Area city with a deep industrial past, was home to a major Kaiser Shipyard during WWII. This diverse city on the San Francisco Bay has a significant Black population, reflecting its wartime boom. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 113,418, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,685.5 per 100,000 residents.