Is Austin or River Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, River Forest is safer than Austin (Safety Score 27/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,563 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 31% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where River Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 88.9x 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
River Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
River Forest, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | River Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,563.2 | +1,146.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 90.3 | +377.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 0.0 | +67.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 45.1 | +40.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 45.1 | +262.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,472.9 | +769.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 577.6 | -132.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,841.2 | +357.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 54.2 | +544.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or River Forest safer?
River Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 2,563 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while River Forest has 90.3. River Forest 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 River Forest, IL
River Forest is an affluent, tree-lined Chicago suburb known for its historic architecture, including numerous Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Situated along the Des Plaines River, it boasts a highly educated population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 11,080, River Forest has a total crime rate of 2,563.2 per 100,000 residents.