Is Austin or West Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Chicago is safer than Austin (Safety Score 82/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 801 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 78% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where West Chicago has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 39.4x 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
West Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
West Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | West Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 801.0 | +2,908.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 188.2 | +279.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 8.0 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 60.1 | +7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 4.0 | +81.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 112.1 | +195.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 612.8 | +2,629.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 108.1 | +337.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 456.6 | +1,741.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 48.1 | +550.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or West Chicago safer?
West Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 801 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while West Chicago has 188.2. West Chicago 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 West Chicago, IL
West Chicago, a city in DuPage County, was once known as Turner Junction, a significant railway hub. Its diverse population includes a large Hispanic community. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 24,968, West Chicago has a total crime rate of 801.0 per 100,000 residents.