Is Austin TX Safe? A Data-Driven Look at Crime Rates in Austin, Texas

Austin TX Crime Rates: The Big Picture

Austin, Texas has an overall crime rate of approximately 38 per 1,000 residents, earning it a crime index score of just 4 out of 100 — meaning Austin is considered safer than only 4% of U.S. cities by this metric. With a population of 993,588, the raw numbers are significant: the city logs tens of thousands of property crimes and thousands of violent crimes each year.

However, context matters enormously. While Austin's crime rate is higher than 97% of Texas communities, that comparison is misleading because it pits a major metro against thousands of small towns. When compared against similarly-sized cities nationally, Austin actually performs better than most. Cities like Memphis, Detroit, and Albuquerque have significantly higher crime rates per capita.

Violent Crime in Austin TX

Austin's violent crime rate stands at 4.67 per 1,000 residents, giving any given resident about a 1 in 214 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in a given year. This is notably higher than the Texas state average of 3.89 per 1,000, though the gap is smaller than many assume.

Aggravated assault accounts for the lion's share of violent crime in Austin, making up roughly two-thirds of all violent offenses. The 65 annual murders, while tragic, represent a homicide rate that is moderate for a city of Austin's size. For perspective, Austin's murder rate is substantially lower than Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio on a per-capita basis.

Property Crime: Austin's Bigger Challenge

Property crime is where Austin's numbers really stand out. The property crime rate of 33.12 per 1,000 residents translates to a 1 in 30 chance of being a property crime victim — and that rate is 62% higher than the Texas state average of 20.4 per 1,000.

Motor vehicle theft is a particular concern. With 5,926 vehicle thefts annually — roughly a 1 in 168 chance — Austin has one of the highest motor vehicle theft rates in the nation. Theft and larceny dominate the crime landscape, accounting for more than 22,000 incidents every year.

Austin vs. Texas: How the Capital Compares

Safety Varies by Neighborhood

Asking "Is Austin safe?" without specifying a neighborhood is like asking "Is the weather nice?" without specifying a season. Crime rates vary dramatically across Austin's diverse neighborhoods:

• Circle C Ranch and Tarrytown — Among the safest, with well below average crime rates
• Hyde Park and Mueller — Moderate crime levels, generally safe with normal urban precautions
• Downtown and East Austin — Higher crime concentrations, particularly theft and assault

Explore our complete neighborhood safety guide for detailed breakdowns of each area, or use the interactive crime map to search a specific address.

The Bottom Line: Is Austin TX Safe?

Austin is a city of contrasts when it comes to safety. The Austin crime index of 4/100 looks alarming on paper, but the reality is more nuanced. Violent crime is above the Texas average but reasonable for a city of nearly one million. Property crime — especially theft and vehicle theft — is the real concern, running well above state averages.

The smartest approach is neighborhood-level awareness. Choose where you live carefully, take basic precautions with your property and vehicle, and stay informed about crime in your specific area. Setting up free crime alerts for your neighborhood is one of the most effective steps you can take.