Is Austin or Thornton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Thornton is safer than Austin (Safety Score 18/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 16% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Thornton has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.8x 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
Thornton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Thornton, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Thornton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,114.2 | +595.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 278.4 | +189.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.4 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 79.5 | -11.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 49.4 | +36.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 143.3 | +163.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,835.9 | +406.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 277.0 | +168.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,067.9 | +130.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 490.9 | +107.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Thornton safer?
Thornton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Thornton has 278.4. Thornton 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 Thornton, CO
Thornton, a northern Denver suburb, began as a post-WWII housing boom community. It spans parts of Adams and Weld counties, with a diverse, family-oriented population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 145,847, Thornton has a total crime rate of 3,114.2 per 100,000 residents.