Is Austin or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Watertown (Safety Score 11/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Watertown — 18% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 41.0x 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
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Watertown, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,527.9 | -818.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 599.3 | -131.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 166.5 | -98.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 37.5 | +48.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 395.4 | -88.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 3,928.6 | -686.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 387.0 | +58.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 3,420.9 | -1,222.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 120.7 | +477.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Watertown safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,528 for Watertown — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Watertown has 599.3. 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 Watertown, NY
Watertown, NY, a city along the Black River, boasts the first department store in the nation, founded by F.W. Woolworth. Situated just south of Fort Drum, it serves as a regional hub for Jefferson County. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 24,029, Watertown has a total crime rate of 4,527.9 per 100,000 residents.