Is Austin or South Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Houston is safer than Austin (Safety Score 21/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 23% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 46% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 62.7x 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
South Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
South Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | South Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,873.3 | +836.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 694.4 | -227.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 6.4 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 89.2 | -21.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 159.3 | -73.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 439.6 | -132.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,178.9 | +1,063.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 274.0 | +171.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,280.6 | +917.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 624.4 | -25.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or South Houston safer?
South Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while South Houston has 694.4. 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 South Houston, TX
South Houston, once a separate city, is now a diverse community southeast of downtown Houston. Its history as a distinct municipality shaped its unique identity, and it remains a predominantly residential area. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 15,696, South Houston has a total crime rate of 2,873.3 per 100,000 residents.