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Austin vs Arlington: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Austin has a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents vs Arlington's 21.3 per 1,000, making Arlington 46% safer overall. Arlington earns a B- safety grade compared to Austin's D-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D-

Austin

Texas

Overall GradeD-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate39.5/1K
Percentile14%
B-

Arlington

Texas

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.3/1K
Percentile54%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricAustinArlington
Overall Crime Rate39.5/1K21.3/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0361.3
Property Crime Rate3600.01772.2
Murder Rate4.64.9
Assault Rate278.3287.0
Robbery Rate60.656.7
Burglary Rate461.8253.3
Theft Rate3112.61616.1
Vehicle Theft Rate763.2396.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Austin is safer in 3 and Arlington is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Austin, you have a 1 in 25 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 47 in Arlington.

Full Safety Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin safer than Arlington?
As of 2026, Arlington is 46% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.3 per 1,000 residents compared to Austin's 39.5. Arlington earns a B- safety grade vs Austin's D-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Austin or Arlington?
Arlington has more violent crime at 361 per 100,000 residents. Austin is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Austin vs Arlington?
Austin has a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K). Arlington has 21.3 per 1,000 (violent: 361/100K, property: 1772/100K).
Should I move to Austin or Arlington?
From a safety perspective, Arlington has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Austin (pop. 1,002,632) and Arlington (pop. 402,134) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Arlington's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Austin and Arlington compare for property crime?
Arlington has lower property crime at 1772 per 100K vs Austin's 3600. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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