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Austin vs El Paso: 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 El Paso's 23.2 per 1,000, making El Paso 41% safer overall. El Paso earns a C+ 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%
C+

El Paso

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
Percentile49%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricAustinEl Paso
Overall Crime Rate39.5/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0440.3
Property Crime Rate3600.01883.3
Murder Rate4.68.5
Assault Rate278.3276.6
Robbery Rate60.657.5
Burglary Rate461.8299.3
Theft Rate3112.61393.6
Vehicle Theft Rate763.2173.6

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 2 and El Paso is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Austin, you have a 1 in 25 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in El Paso.

Full Safety Reports

D-
Austin, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
El Paso, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin safer than El Paso?
As of 2026, El Paso is 41% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents compared to Austin's 39.5. El Paso earns a C+ safety grade vs Austin's D-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Austin or El Paso?
El Paso has more violent crime at 440 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 El Paso?
Austin has a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K). El Paso has 23.2 per 1,000 (violent: 440/100K, property: 1883/100K).
Should I move to Austin or El Paso?
From a safety perspective, El Paso has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Austin (pop. 1,002,632) and El Paso (pop. 683,012) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. El Paso's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Austin and El Paso compare for property crime?
El Paso has lower property crime at 1883 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

Austin vs HoustonAustin vs DallasAustin vs San AntonioEl Paso vs San AntonioEl Paso vs DallasEl Paso vs Fort Worth

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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