Is Austin or Wake Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wake Forest is safer than Austin (Safety Score 58/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,452 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 61% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wake Forest has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 17.6x 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
Wake Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Wake Forest, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Wake Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,451.5 | +2,257.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 146.8 | +320.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 3.6 | +3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 5.4 | +62.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 9.0 | +76.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 128.9 | +178.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,304.8 | +1,937.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 103.8 | +341.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,116.8 | +1,081.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 84.1 | +514.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Wake Forest safer?
Wake Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 1,452 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Wake Forest has 146.8. Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest, NC
Wake Forest, NC, a town in northern Wake County, was historically home to Wake Forest College before its move to Winston-Salem. It boasts a growing population of over 50,000 residents today. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 55,872, Wake Forest has a total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 residents.