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Is Austin safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Austin scores 71/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Austin is generally safe for visitors with moderate risks in pickpocketing and robbery, requiring increased caution in crowded areas and at night. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Austin 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 18 October 2026
71
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairCrime index 44.2 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment65/100FairMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health75Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
974k residents
67
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery uncommon in tourist districts but risen in parts of East Austin and near downtown nightlife corridor, especially late at night
Pickpocketing
ModerateFrequent in crowded venues such as Sixth Street, Texas State Capitol grounds, and public buses, particularly during festivals and concerts
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
65/100
Reported feel60Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Feeling safe walking alone at night is 47/100 and in daylight 75/100, with 60% reporting safety after dark per UN data; visitors generally report feeling safe in well-patrolled areas but express concern in dimly lit or isolated spots after dark.
Yes. Austin is generally safe for visitors with moderate risks in pickpocketing and robbery, requiring increased caution in crowded areas and at night.
Austin's composite safety index is 74/100, reflecting moderate crime risks but strong institutions and low terrorism. Visitor-reported safety walking alone at night is 47/100, while daylight safety is 75/100. Recent police reports confirm rising pickpocketing in downtown entertainment districts and increased cell phone thefts on Rainey Street.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026ICE agent shoots and wounds Venezuelan DoorDash driver in Austin during protest-related incident— BBC
- Sep 2026Austin City Council candidate arrested after protest against ICE shooting incident— Common Dreams
- Jul 2026Study indicates Austin's 2026 homicide rate over 70 percent higher than 2019 levels— The Texan
- Feb 2026Texas Republicans seek immigration halt after Austin shooting incident— The Texas Tribune
Common scams
- Opportunistic phone theft on Rainey Street targeting bar-goers using devices near the curb
- Pickpocketing in crowded venues like Sixth Street and Red River Cultural District during peak events
Full briefing
Austin sees a moderate rise in pickpocketing, with police reporting a drastic increase in the Red River Cultural District and downtown areas during peak crowd times, as noted in FOX 7 Austin and KXAN reports from February and July 2026. The Austin Police Department has issued safety tips due to increased cell phone thefts from pickpocketing in downtown during high-density periods, per austintexas.gov. Visitors should keep phones secured and avoid displaying them openly on Rainey Street at night, where opportunistic thieves target bar-goers between 10 PM and 2 AM, according to beforeyougotravels.com. While violent crime remains below national averages for similar cities, homicide rates have risen sharply since 2019, per The Texan in July 2026, with incidents concentrated in East Austin and nightlife corridors after dark. Recent events include an ICE agent shooting a Venezuelan DoorDash driver in September 2026, reported by BBC, and related protests leading to arrests, per Common Dreams. Despite these risks, Austin maintains strong safety perceptions in daylight, with well-patrolled entertainment districts and good infrastructure in areas like downtown and the University of Texas campus. Travelers should use rideshares at night, stay in well-lit populated areas, and exercise normal urban precautions, particularly regarding property crime in crowded venues. The city’s overall safety is supported by strong institutions, low terrorism risk, and good health and environment scores, but nighttime awareness remains essential.
Was this Austin, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Austin districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Austin safety map.
North Austin (including Rundberg and MLK-Hwy 183 corridors)avoidAmong most dangerous areas in 2026; higher rates of violent crime and property crime per local crime maps.
Downtown AustincautionWell-patrolled but pickpocketing rising in crowded areas like Sixth Street and Red River Cultural District, especially at night.
East AustincautionMugging and armed robbery reported in parts, particularly near downtown nightlife corridor late at night.
Rainey Street Historic DistrictcautionOpportunistic phone thefts spike on weekend nights 10 PM–2 AM; keep devices secured and avoid street-edge use.
South Austin (including St. Elmo and areas near Ben White Blvd)cautionMixed safety; some residential zones safe, but commercial corridors see increased theft and nighttime risks.
West Austin (including Barton Creek, Senna Hills, Crystal Mountain)saferConsistently ranked among safest neighborhoods with low crime and strong infrastructure.
South Congress (SoCo)saferTourist-friendly with good visibility, regular foot traffic, and well-maintained streets during day and evening.
University of Texas / West CampussaferCampus area with university security, student housing, and regular police patrols; well-lit and secure.
07 · After Dark
Is Austin safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging and armed robbery uncommon in tourist districts but risen in parts of East Austin and near downtown nightlife corridor, especially late at night
After dark, be most careful around North Austin (including Rundberg and MLK-Hwy 183 corridors), Downtown Austin, East Austin, Rainey Street Historic District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Austin safety FAQ (2026)
Is Austin safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Austin is generally safe for visitors with moderate risks in pickpocketing and robbery, requiring increased caution in crowded areas and at night. Austin's composite safety index is 74/100, reflecting moderate crime risks but strong institutions and low terrorism. Visitor-reported safety walking alone at night is 47/100, while daylight safety is 75/100. Recent police reports confirm rising pickpocketing in downtown entertainment districts and increased cell phone thefts on Rainey Street. (Assessed 18 October 2026.)
Is Austin safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Austin report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Austin should tourists avoid?
Field research flags North Austin (including Rundberg and MLK-Hwy 183 corridors) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Austin (2026)?
- Opportunistic phone theft on Rainey Street targeting bar-goers using devices near the curb
- Pickpocketing in crowded venues like Sixth Street and Red River Cultural District during peak events
How does Austin compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Austin ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 71/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this austin safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: austin.json (CC BY 4.0).