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Seattle vs Austin: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Seattle 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 Seattle's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Seattle

Washington

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC-
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

MetricSeattleAustin
Overall Crime Rate54/1K39.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate600.0350.0
Property Crime Rate4800.03600.0
Murder Rate8.94.6
Assault Rate496.5278.3
Robbery Rate84.060.6
Burglary Rate760.1461.8
Theft Rate3673.83112.6
Vehicle Theft Rate541.8763.2

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, Seattle is safer in 1 and Austin is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: Seattle vs Austin

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

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

SeattleAustinHigh/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 Seattle safer than Austin?
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, Seattle or Austin?
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 Seattle vs Austin?
Seattle has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 4800/100K). Austin has 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K).
Should I move to Seattle or Austin?
From a safety perspective, Austin has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Seattle (pop. 784,777) 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 Seattle and Austin 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

Seattle vs DenverSeattle vs PortlandSeattle vs PortlandAustin 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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