Is Austin safe?
Safe in most visitor areas. Car break-ins, late-night incidents on Sixth Street and heat are the main concerns; some outer neighborhoods have higher violent crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Austin at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins, bike and phone theft, and fights or drink spiking on Sixth Street at night. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. |
| At night | Sixth Street and Rainey Street stay busy and watched. Use rideshare to get home late and avoid driving after drinking. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in central areas. Watch drinks on Sixth Street, avoid empty trails after dark and use rideshare at night. |
| Other risks | Extreme heat, 38°C+ in Jul–Aug; Flash floods on roads and creeks; Winter ice storms that shut the city |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Pedicab drivers quoting low fares then charging per person or distance
- Street 'charity' collectors near Congress Avenue
- Unlicensed drivers offering rides outside bars
- Overpriced event parking in private lots
Take care
- Sixth Street after 1 am: fights and drink spiking
- Leaving anything visible in a parked car
- Walking along wide, fast roads without sidewalks
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Austin compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Austin safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in central areas. Watch drinks on Sixth Street, avoid empty trails after dark and use rideshare at night.
Is Austin safe at night?
Sixth Street and Rainey Street stay busy and watched. Use rideshare to get home late and avoid driving after drinking.
What is the crime rate in Austin?
Car break-ins, bike and phone theft, and fights or drink spiking on Sixth Street at night. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Austin?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Austin
Going to Austin solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Austin meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- CapMetro (Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
- Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
- Visit Austin
- Austin Water
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.