Is Austin or Shelby Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Shelby is safer than Austin (Safety Score 13/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,477 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 6% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 44.7x 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
Shelby — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Shelby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,477.4 | +232.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 1,044.1 | -576.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 22.7 | -16.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 49.9 | +17.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 77.2 | +8.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 894.3 | -587.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,433.3 | +808.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 485.8 | -40.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,716.0 | +482.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 231.5 | +367.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Shelby safer?
Shelby is safer with a total crime rate of 3,477 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Shelby has 1,044.1. 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 Shelby, NC
Shelby, NC, a foothills city in Cleveland County, is home to the Earl Scruggs Center celebrating the bluegrass legend. Its population is approximately 20,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 22,028, Shelby has a total crime rate of 3,477.4 per 100,000 residents.