Is Austin or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waltham is safer than Austin (Safety Score 76/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 951 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 74% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Waltham has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 15.0x 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
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 951.3 | +2,758.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 252.0 | +215.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 1.5 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 18.3 | +49.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 22.9 | +62.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 209.2 | +98.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 699.4 | +2,542.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 125.2 | +319.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 519.2 | +1,678.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 55.0 | +543.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Waltham safer?
Waltham is safer with a total crime rate of 951 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Waltham 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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.