Is Austin or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 11/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 36% lower. Austin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 61% lower rate.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 5,783.1 | -2,073.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 775.5 | -308.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 6.8 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 46.3 | +21.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 220.6 | -135.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 501.3 | -194.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 5,007.6 | -1,765.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 1,152.0 | -706.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,882.0 | -683.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 973.6 | -375.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Seattle safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. 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 Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.