Is Austin or Washington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Washington is safer than Austin (Safety Score 32/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,337 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 37% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Washington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 72.8x 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, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,337.1 | +1,372.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 695.2 | -227.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 29.6 | +38.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 147.9 | -62.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 517.7 | -210.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,641.9 | +1,600.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 266.3 | +178.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,161.2 | +1,037.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 214.5 | +384.1 |
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 2,337 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Washington has 695.2. Austin 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, PA
Washington, PA, a county seat in Southwestern Pennsylvania, was founded in 1781. The city is home to Washington & Jefferson College and lies along Interstate 70, just south of Pittsburgh. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 13,521, Washington has a total crime rate of 2,337.1 per 100,000 residents.