Is Austin or San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 18% lower. Austin has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 68% lower rate.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
San Francisco, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,525.6 | -816.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 596.5 | -129.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.4 | +2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 34.9 | +32.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 267.2 | -181.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 290.1 | +17.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,929.1 | -687.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 637.5 | -192.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,618.9 | -420.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 672.7 | -74.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or San Francisco safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while San Francisco has 596.5. 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 San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.