Is Austin or Washington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Washington is safer than Austin (Safety Score 66/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,225 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 67% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Washington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 62.5x 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
Washington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Washington, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,224.6 | +2,484.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 95.2 | +372.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 19.0 | +48.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 6.4 | +79.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 69.8 | +237.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,129.4 | +2,112.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 101.5 | +343.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 996.2 | +1,201.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 31.7 | +566.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Washington safer?
Washington is safer with a total crime rate of 1,225 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Washington has 95.2. Washington 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 Washington, IL
Washington, Illinois, a city in Tazewell County known for its annual Cherry Festival, sits just east of Peoria. This community of around 16,000 residents is primarily a residential area with a strong local economy. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 15,760, Washington has a total crime rate of 1,224.6 per 100,000 residents.