Moving from Austin, TX to Waco, TX?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Austin, TX or Waco, TX Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Waco, TX is safer than Austin, TX (Safety Score 28/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,552 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin, TX — 31% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Waco has a 34% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Austin, TX?
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Waco, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Waco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,552.1 | +1,157.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 425.9 | +41.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 5.5 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 90.9 | -23.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 57.4 | +28.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 272.1 | +35.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,126.2 | +1,115.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 294.7 | +150.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,626.4 | +571.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 205.1 | +393.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Austin, TX to Waco, TX?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Waco safer?
Waco, TX is safer with a total crime rate of 2,552 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin, TX — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Waco has 425.9. Waco 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 Waco, TX
Waco, Texas, bisected by the Brazos River, is a Central Texas city with a diverse population of around 140,000. Home to Baylor University, it blends academic life with a rich history, including its past as a major cotton producer. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 146,270, Waco has a total crime rate of 2,552.1 per 100,000 residents.