Is Austin or Scotts Valley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Scotts Valley is safer than Austin (Safety Score 43/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,904 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 49% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Scotts Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 83.7x 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
Scotts Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Scotts Valley, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Scotts Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,904.0 | +1,805.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 306.0 | +161.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 42.5 | +25.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 34.0 | +51.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 229.5 | +77.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,598.0 | +1,643.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 76.5 | +368.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,487.5 | +710.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 34.0 | +564.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Scotts Valley safer?
Scotts Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 1,904 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Scotts Valley has 306.0. Scotts Valley 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 Scotts Valley, CA
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Scotts Valley was once home to the innovative Santa's Village theme park. This small city, with a population around 12,000, is characterized by its redwood forests and proximity to the coast. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 11,765, Scotts Valley has a total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 residents.