Is Austin or West Palm Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Palm Beach is safer than Austin (Safety Score 24/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,714 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 27% lower. Austin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Austin has a 46% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 7.8x 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
West Palm Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
West Palm Beach, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,713.8 | +995.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 575.8 | -108.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.9 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 59.3 | +8.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 159.0 | -73.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 349.6 | -42.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,138.0 | +1,103.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 307.7 | +137.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,801.8 | +396.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 28.5 | +570.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or West Palm Beach safer?
West Palm Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 2,714 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while West Palm Beach has 575.8. 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 West Palm Beach, FL
West Palm Beach, separated from Palm Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway, was founded by Henry Flagler to house railroad workers. This city in Palm Beach County is a diverse urban center with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 126,427, West Palm Beach has a total crime rate of 2,713.8 per 100,000 residents.