Is Austin or Wayne Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wayne is safer than Austin (Safety Score 40/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,995 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 46% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Wayne has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 58.3x 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
Wayne — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Wayne, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Wayne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,995.2 | +1,714.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 692.7 | -225.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 5.9 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 82.9 | -15.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 53.3 | +32.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 550.6 | -243.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,302.5 | +1,939.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 183.5 | +261.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 769.6 | +1,428.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 349.3 | +249.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Wayne safer?
Wayne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,995 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Wayne has 692.7. 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 Wayne, MI
Wayne, Michigan, a western suburb of Detroit, was once home to a Ford Motor Company assembly plant. This city in Wayne County has a population of around 17,000 residents. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 16,891, Wayne has a total crime rate of 1,995.2 per 100,000 residents.