Is Austin or Washington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Washington is safer than Austin (Safety Score 56/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,496 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 60% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Washington has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 62.7x 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, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,496.2 | +2,213.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 254.7 | +212.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 6.4 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 44.6 | +23.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 6.4 | +79.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 197.4 | +109.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,241.5 | +2,000.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 76.4 | +368.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,069.6 | +1,128.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 95.5 | +503.1 |
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 1,496 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Washington has 254.7. 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, MO
Washington, Missouri, known for its historic German heritage and the Missouri Meerschaum Corncob Pipe Company, is a city in Franklin County along the Missouri River. Its population was estimated at 14,932 in 2022. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 15,707, Washington has a total crime rate of 1,496.2 per 100,000 residents.