Is Austin or Sonoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sonoma is safer than Austin (Safety Score 62/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,332 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 64% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sonoma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 93.0x 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
Sonoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Sonoma, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Sonoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,332.3 | +2,377.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 179.5 | +288.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 9.5 | +58.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 37.8 | +47.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 132.3 | +174.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,152.8 | +2,089.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 207.9 | +237.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 869.3 | +1,328.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 75.6 | +523.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Sonoma safer?
Sonoma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,332 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Sonoma has 179.5. Sonoma 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 Sonoma, CA
Sonoma, California, a historic town in the heart of wine country, is known for its Spanish colonial mission and the Sonoma Plaza. Located north of San Francisco, its population is approximately 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 10,583, Sonoma has a total crime rate of 1,332.3 per 100,000 residents.