Is Austin or Rockford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rockford is safer than Austin (Safety Score 12/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,599 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 3% lower. Austin has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Austin has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.8x 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
Rockford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Rockford, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Rockford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,598.6 | +110.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 1,081.4 | -613.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 13.1 | -6.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 69.5 | -1.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 106.7 | -21.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 890.7 | -583.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,517.2 | +724.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 632.6 | -187.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,444.8 | +753.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 439.8 | +158.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Rockford safer?
Rockford is safer with a total crime rate of 3,599 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Rockford has 1,081.4. 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 Rockford, IL
Rockford, once known as "Forest City," sits on the Rock River in northern Illinois. Its manufacturing history shaped a blue-collar community of just under 150,000 residents. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 145,280, Rockford has a total crime rate of 3,598.6 per 100,000 residents.