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Austin vs Seattle: 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 Seattle's 54 per 1,000, making Austin 27% safer overall. Austin earns a D- safety grade compared to Seattle's F. 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%
F

Seattle

Washington

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC-
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate54/1K
Percentile2%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricAustinSeattle
Overall Crime Rate39.5/1K54/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0600.0
Property Crime Rate3600.04800.0
Murder Rate4.68.9
Assault Rate278.3496.5
Robbery Rate60.684.0
Burglary Rate461.8760.1
Theft Rate3112.63673.8
Vehicle Theft Rate763.2541.8

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 8 and Seattle is safer in 1.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Austin, you have a 1 in 25 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 19 in Seattle.

Full Safety Reports

D-
Austin, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Seattle, Washington Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Austin vs Seattle

Austin Climate Overview

Annual High80.2°F
Annual Low58.7°F
Annual Rain33.9"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Seattle Climate Overview

Annual High60.1°F
Annual Low45.9°F
Annual Rain37.0"
Annual Snow4.0"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJuly
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortable

Monthly Temperature Comparison

AustinSeattleHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Austin is 22°F warmer in summer than Seattle, but Seattle is 6°F colder in winter than Austin. Seattle gets 4 inches of snow annually, while Austin rarely sees any.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin safer than Seattle?
As of 2026, Austin is 27% safer overall, with a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Seattle's 54. Austin earns a D- safety grade vs Seattle's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Austin or Seattle?
Seattle has more violent crime at 600 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 Seattle?
Austin has a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K). Seattle has 54 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 4800/100K).
Should I move to Austin or Seattle?
From a safety perspective, Austin has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Austin (pop. 1,002,632) and Seattle (pop. 784,777) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Austin's D- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Austin and Seattle compare for property crime?
Austin has lower property crime at 3600 per 100K vs Seattle's 4800. 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 AntonioSeattle vs DenverSeattle vs PortlandSeattle vs Portland

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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