Moving from Austin, TX to Santa Maria, CA?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Austin, TX or Santa Maria, CA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Maria, CA is safer than Austin, TX (Safety Score 28/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin, TX — 31% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 8.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Austin, TX?
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,543.3 | +1,166.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 660.6 | -193.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.7 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 68.2 | -0.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 173.6 | -88.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 416.2 | -108.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,882.7 | +1,359.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 312.6 | +132.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,149.4 | +1,048.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 420.7 | +177.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Austin, TX to Santa Maria, CA?
An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin, TX — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. 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 Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.