Is Austin or Urbana Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbana is safer than Austin (Safety Score 19/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,036 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 18% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbana has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 25.8x 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
Urbana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Urbana, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Urbana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,036.3 | +673.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 544.5 | -77.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.6 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 55.0 | +12.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 81.1 | +4.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 405.7 | -98.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,491.9 | +750.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 486.9 | -41.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,740.7 | +457.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 264.4 | +334.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Urbana safer?
Urbana is safer with a total crime rate of 3,036 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Urbana has 544.5. 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 Urbana, IL
Urbana, Illinois, home to a significant portion of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a Midwestern city with a rich agricultural history. Located in east-central Illinois, it attracts a diverse student and research-oriented population. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 38,204, Urbana has a total crime rate of 3,036.3 per 100,000 residents.