Is Austin or Wausau Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wausau is safer than Austin (Safety Score 63/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,304 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 65% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wausau has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 24.6x 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
Wausau — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Wausau, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Wausau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,304.2 | +2,405.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 295.4 | +172.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.5 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 105.1 | -37.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 15.0 | +70.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 172.7 | +134.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,008.8 | +2,233.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 107.6 | +337.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 836.1 | +1,362.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 65.1 | +533.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Wausau safer?
Wausau is safer with a total crime rate of 1,304 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Wausau has 295.4. Wausau 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 Wausau, WI
Nestled along the Wisconsin River, Wausau is the county seat of Marathon County, known for its historic Grand Theater. This city in north-central Wisconsin has a population of around 39,000. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 39,949, Wausau has a total crime rate of 1,304.2 per 100,000 residents.