Is Austin or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richmond is safer than Austin (Safety Score 12/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 5% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 4.2x 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
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Richmond, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,516.3 | +193.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 336.9 | +130.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 24.2 | -17.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 18.6 | +49.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 94.5 | -9.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 199.7 | +107.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,179.4 | +62.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 265.3 | +179.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,386.9 | -188.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 527.2 | +71.4 |
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 3,516 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond 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, VA
Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.