Is Austin or Santa Clara Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Clara is safer than Austin (Safety Score 25/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,684 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 28% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Clara has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 7.5x 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
Santa Clara — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Santa Clara, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Santa Clara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,683.8 | +1,025.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 182.0 | +285.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.5 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 19.7 | +47.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 57.6 | +27.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 103.1 | +204.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,501.9 | +740.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 337.4 | +107.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,771.0 | +427.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 393.5 | +205.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Santa Clara safer?
Santa Clara is safer with a total crime rate of 2,684 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Santa Clara has 182.0. Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara, home to Levi's Stadium, is a Silicon Valley city in Santa Clara County. It's a key tech hub with a diverse, educated population and a significant presence of professionals in the STEM fields. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 131,901, Santa Clara has a total crime rate of 2,683.8 per 100,000 residents.