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San Francisco vs Austin: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5 per 1,000, making Austin 20% safer overall. Austin earns a D- safety grade compared to San Francisco's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

San Francisco

California

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate49.5/1K
Percentile4%
D-

Austin

Texas

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan FranciscoAustin
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K39.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0350.0
Property Crime Rate4500.03600.0
Murder Rate6.84.6
Assault Rate288.5278.3
Robbery Rate61.060.6
Burglary Rate699.8461.8
Theft Rate3660.43112.6
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0763.2

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, San Francisco is safer in 0 and Austin is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Francisco, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 25 in Austin.

Full Safety Reports

F
San Francisco, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
D-
Austin, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: San Francisco vs Austin

San Francisco Climate Overview

Annual High64.1°F
Annual Low51°F
Annual Rain22.2"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Comfortable

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

San FranciscoAustinHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Austin is 27°F warmer in summer than San Francisco, but Austin is 5°F colder in winter than San Francisco. Austin is wetter with 34" of annual rain compared to 22". San Francisco has more comfortable weather months (9 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco safer than Austin?
As of 2026, Austin is 20% safer overall, with a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. Austin earns a D- safety grade vs San Francisco's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Francisco or Austin?
San Francisco has more violent crime at 450 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 San Francisco vs Austin?
San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K). Austin has 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K).
Should I move to San Francisco or Austin?
From a safety perspective, Austin has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Francisco (pop. 826,079) 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 San Francisco and Austin compare for property crime?
Austin has lower property crime at 3600 per 100K vs San Francisco's 4500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

San Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs San DiegoSan Francisco vs San JoseAustin 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.

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