Is Austin or Santa Cruz Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Cruz is safer than Austin (Safety Score 17/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 16% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Cruz has a 26% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 16.1x 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 Cruz — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Santa Cruz, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Santa Cruz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,128.2 | +581.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 612.9 | -145.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.9 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 42.4 | +25.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 102.7 | -17.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 463.0 | -155.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,515.2 | +726.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 135.3 | +309.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,221.8 | -23.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 158.1 | +440.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Santa Cruz safer?
Santa Cruz is safer with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Santa Cruz has 612.9. 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 Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, California, a coastal city known for its historic Beach Boardwalk, sits on Monterey Bay. It's home to a significant student population, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 61,346, Santa Cruz has a total crime rate of 3,128.2 per 100,000 residents.