Is Austin or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Austin (Safety Score 16/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 14% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 59% lower rate.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,194.8 | +514.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 606.9 | -139.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.7 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 77.3 | -9.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 140.8 | -55.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 386.0 | -78.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,587.9 | +654.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 427.0 | +18.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,523.2 | +674.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 637.6 | -39.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. 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 Jose, CA
San Jose, the largest city in Northern California, is a diverse Silicon Valley hub with a rich history, once serving as California's first state capital. Located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, its population reflects a broad range of ethnicities and income levels. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 956,840, San Jose has a total crime rate of 3,194.8 per 100,000 residents.