CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Chicago vs Austin: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5 per 1,000, making Chicago 10% safer overall. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade compared to Austin's D-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D+

Chicago

Illinois

Overall GradeD+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeC-
Crime Rate35.5/1K
Percentile20%
D-

Austin

Texas

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricChicagoAustin
Overall Crime Rate35.5/1K39.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate750.0350.0
Property Crime Rate2800.03600.0
Murder Rate14.14.6
Assault Rate608.5278.3
Robbery Rate120.960.6
Burglary Rate376.8461.8
Theft Rate1938.23112.6
Vehicle Theft Rate674.0763.2

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, Chicago is safer in 5 and Austin is safer in 4.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Chicago, you have a 1 in 28 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 25 in Austin.

Full Safety Reports

D+
Chicago, Illinois Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
D-
Austin, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Chicago vs Austin

Chicago Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low42.8°F
Annual Rain36.9"
Annual Snow36.1"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

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

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ChicagoAustinHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Austin is 14°F warmer in summer than Chicago, but Chicago is 23°F colder in winter than Austin. Chicago gets 36 inches of snow annually, while Austin rarely sees any.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago safer than Austin?
As of 2026, Chicago is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Austin's 39.5. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade vs Austin's D-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Chicago or Austin?
Chicago has more violent crime at 750 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 Chicago vs Austin?
Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 2800/100K). Austin has 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K).
Should I move to Chicago or Austin?
From a safety perspective, Chicago has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Chicago (pop. 2,731,585) and Austin (pop. 1,002,632) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Chicago's D+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Chicago and Austin compare for property crime?
Chicago has lower property crime at 2800 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

Chicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs DetroitAustin vs HoustonAustin vs DallasAustin vs San Antonio

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities