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Houston vs Austin: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Houston has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5 per 1,000, making Austin 27% safer overall. Austin earns a D- safety grade compared to Houston's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Houston

Texas

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

Austin

Texas

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricHoustonAustin
Overall Crime Rate54/1K39.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate900.0350.0
Property Crime Rate4500.03600.0
Murder Rate14.74.6
Assault Rate621.4278.3
Robbery Rate128.960.6
Burglary Rate769.2461.8
Theft Rate3592.53112.6
Vehicle Theft Rate781.0763.2

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, Houston is safer in 0 and Austin is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: Houston vs Austin

Houston Climate Overview

Annual High80°F
Annual Low60.1°F
Annual Rain47.9"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

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

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

Austin is 3°F warmer in summer than Houston, but winter temperatures are comparable. Houston is wetter with 48" of annual rain compared to 34". Houston has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston safer than Austin?
As of 2026, Austin is 27% safer overall, with a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Houston's 54. Austin earns a D- safety grade vs Houston's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Houston or Austin?
Houston has more violent crime at 900 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 Houston vs Austin?
Houston has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 (violent: 900/100K, property: 4500/100K). Austin has 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K).
Should I move to Houston or Austin?
From a safety perspective, Austin has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Houston (pop. 2,397,315) and Austin (pop. 1,002,632) 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 Houston and Austin compare for property crime?
Austin has lower property crime at 3600 per 100K vs Houston's 4500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Houston vs DallasHouston vs San AntonioHouston vs ChicagoAustin vs DallasAustin vs San AntonioAustin vs Denver

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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