Is Austin or Wellesley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wellesley is safer than Austin (Safety Score 91/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 532 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 86% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wellesley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 30.8x 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
Wellesley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Wellesley, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Wellesley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 531.7 | +3,177.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 46.9 | +420.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 9.4 | +58.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 0.0 | +85.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 37.5 | +269.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 484.8 | +2,757.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 65.7 | +379.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 378.4 | +1,819.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 40.7 | +558.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Wellesley safer?
Wellesley is safer with a total crime rate of 532 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Wellesley has 46.9. Wellesley 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 Wellesley, MA
Wellesley, a affluent Boston suburb known for Wellesley College, occupies a tree-lined landscape with a median household income exceeding $200,000. Its population of around 29,000 residents reflects a highly educated community, with over 80% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 31,973, Wellesley has a total crime rate of 531.7 per 100,000 residents.