Is Austin or Santa Rosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Rosa is safer than Austin (Safety Score 51/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 55% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Rosa has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 5.6x 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 Rosa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Santa Rosa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Santa Rosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,662.6 | +2,046.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 342.6 | +124.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.1 | +5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 67.4 | +0.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 66.8 | +18.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 207.3 | +100.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,320.0 | +1,921.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 231.2 | +213.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 919.2 | +1,278.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 169.6 | +429.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Santa Rosa safer?
Santa Rosa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Santa Rosa has 342.6. Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a city of over 175,000 residents, famously home to Charles M. Schulz. It's a gateway to California's Wine Country, situated amidst rolling hills and vineyards. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 175,147, Santa Rosa has a total crime rate of 1,662.6 per 100,000 residents.