Is Austin or Surprise Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Surprise is safer than Austin (Safety Score 75/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 985 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 73% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Surprise has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.0x 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
Surprise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Surprise, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Surprise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 984.7 | +2,724.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 109.1 | +358.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.4 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 16.5 | +51.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 11.0 | +74.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 74.1 | +233.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 875.6 | +2,366.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 94.4 | +350.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 682.0 | +1,516.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 99.3 | +499.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Surprise safer?
Surprise is safer with a total crime rate of 985 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Surprise has 109.1. Surprise 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 Surprise, AZ
Surprise, Arizona, once a small farming community founded in 1938, is now a rapidly growing city in the Sonoran Desert. Located northwest of Phoenix, it's home to a significant population of retirees and families. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 163,202, Surprise has a total crime rate of 984.7 per 100,000 residents.