Is Austin or Tuscaloosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tuscaloosa is safer than Austin (Safety Score 15/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,285 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 11% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 8.6x 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
Tuscaloosa — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Tuscaloosa, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Tuscaloosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,284.6 | +424.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 553.4 | -86.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 15.8 | -9.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 17.6 | +50.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 59.7 | +25.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 460.3 | -153.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,731.2 | +510.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 318.9 | +126.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,159.3 | +38.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 253.0 | +345.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Tuscaloosa safer?
Tuscaloosa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,285 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Tuscaloosa has 553.4. 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 Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama, sits on the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama. Its population is approximately 100,000, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 113,834, Tuscaloosa has a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents.