Is Austin or San Rafael Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Rafael is safer than Austin (Safety Score 19/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,015 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 19% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Rafael has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 16.7x 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 Rafael — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
San Rafael, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | San Rafael | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,015.1 | +694.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 559.0 | -91.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.7 | +4.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 50.8 | +16.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 149.1 | -63.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 357.4 | -50.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,456.1 | +785.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 264.2 | +180.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,770.1 | +428.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 421.8 | +176.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or San Rafael safer?
San Rafael is safer with a total crime rate of 3,015 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while San Rafael has 559.0. 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 Rafael, CA
Nestled in Marin County, San Rafael is a Bay Area city with a rich history, home to Mission San Rafael Arcángel, one of California's original missions. Its diverse population of over 60,000 residents reflects a blend of suburban charm and urban accessibility. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 59,037, San Rafael has a total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 residents.