Is Austin or Wheat Ridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Wheat Ridge (Safety Score 11/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100,000 versus 4,947 for Wheat Ridge — 25% lower. Austin has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wheat Ridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 31.1x 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
Wheat Ridge — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Wheat Ridge, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Wheat Ridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 4,947.0 | -1,237.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 480.8 | -13.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 0.0 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 82.2 | -14.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 44.3 | +41.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 354.3 | -47.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 4,466.2 | -1,224.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 616.8 | -171.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 3,150.4 | -952.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 699.0 | -100.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Wheat Ridge safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 3,709 per 100K vs 4,947 for Wheat Ridge — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Wheat Ridge has 480.8. 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 Wheat Ridge, CO
Wheat Ridge, a Denver suburb, was once known for its abundant market gardens supplying the city. Today, this city of over 32,000 residents lies along Clear Creek, offering a blend of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 31,615, Wheat Ridge has a total crime rate of 4,947.0 per 100,000 residents.