Is Austin or Riverside Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Riverside is safer than Austin (Safety Score 14/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,422 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 8% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Riverside has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 3.1x 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
Riverside — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Riverside, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Riverside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,422.5 | +286.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 590.4 | -122.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 3.1 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 54.0 | +13.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 120.3 | -34.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 412.3 | -105.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,832.1 | +409.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 396.1 | +49.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,984.4 | +213.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 451.7 | +146.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Riverside safer?
Riverside is safer with a total crime rate of 3,422 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Riverside has 590.4. 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 Riverside, CA
Riverside, California, the birthplace of the California citrus industry, is a sprawling city in the Inland Empire. It lies along the Santa Ana River, home to over 300,000 residents, a diverse population including a large Hispanic demographic. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 320,148, Riverside has a total crime rate of 3,422.5 per 100,000 residents.