Is Austin or San Luis Obispo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Luis Obispo is safer than Austin (Safety Score 18/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,093 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 17% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Luis Obispo has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 19.7x 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
San Luis Obispo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | San Luis Obispo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,093.2 | +616.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 424.4 | +43.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 60.1 | +7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 82.1 | +3.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 282.3 | +24.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,668.8 | +573.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 322.3 | +122.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,196.3 | +1.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 150.2 | +448.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or San Luis Obispo safer?
San Luis Obispo is safer with a total crime rate of 3,093 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while San Luis Obispo has 424.4. San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo, CA
Nestled in California's Central Coast, San Luis Obispo is home to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772. This city of roughly 47,000 residents boasts a vibrant downtown and is surrounded by rolling hills. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 49,948, San Luis Obispo has a total crime rate of 3,093.2 per 100,000 residents.