There is a lot to like about the safest neighborhoods in Austin. The city has no state income tax and boasts a vibrant nightlife in addition to a world-famous music scene. It is also the home of the University of Texas at Austin, the second largest university in the state, and the headquarters or a regional office of many high-tech and global firms, including 3M, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Amazon, Apple, Facebook (Meta), Google, and others. The city has a crime rate higher than the national average, but it is lower than other major cities in Texas, such as Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, and San Antonio. As is the case in most big cities, violent crime in Austin is typically concentrated in a few areas. As long as you know which areas to avoid, Austin is a safe place to live, with many great neighborhoods to choose from. The following are just some of the safest neighborhoods in Austin for you to explore.
Austin Safety & Crime Statistics
How safe is Austin? Austin is considered a fairly safe city to live in, especially for its size. The crime rates are higher than the national average, but they are mostly concentrated in a few areas. For a major city, the violent crime rate in Austin is relatively low. By comparison, the violent crime rate in Dallas is 113% higher than the national average. In Houston, the violent crime rate is 212% higher. Here is a breakdown of crime rates in Austin compared to the national average:
- Overall crime rate: 63% higher
- Property crime rate: 71% higher
- Violent crime rate: 27% higher
Austin has 7.8 homicides per 100,000 people, which is only slightly higher than the national average of 6.5 per 100,000 people. You have a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Austin. Although violent crimes are higher than the U.S. average, they have decreased since last year by 7%. The Austin Police Department Crime Map allows you to see where crimes are committed in the city and shows you places in Austin that you should avoid. Here are the safest Austin neighborhoods for you to check out.
Comanche Canyon Ranch | A Safe Neighborhood in Austin for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Population: 1,570
- Comanche Canyon Ranch crime: 84% lower than the national average
- Average rent: $1,170
- Median home price: $590,000
Comanche Canyon Ranch is situated on the shores of Lake Travis and is one of the safe areas in Austin to live in. The neighborhood has a crime rate 84% lower than the national average, making it one of the safest communities in Austin. The neighborhood is great for outdoor lovers, with nature trails, golf, and several parks. Local playgrounds provide great recreational facilities for kids as well as adults.
Families can enjoy a nice picnic in the shade in the summer months or take a pleasant walk along the trail on a crisp, fall weekend. Nearby, residents can enjoy water sports or just spend the day relaxing on Lake Travis. The community also has several A+-rated schools.
Barton Creek | Affluent Austin Neighborhood
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- Population: 3,040
- Barton Creek crime: 78% lower than the national average
- Average rent: $2,043
- Median home price: $2,110,000
Barton Creek is one of the safest areas in Austin for some of the wealthiest residents. The community has a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, and offers residents the ultimate in upscale living. The community features multi-million-dollar estates, some built in the 1920s, beautifully landscaped yards, high-end stores, and fine-dining restaurants, Barton Creek is all about luxury living. For shoppers, Barton Creek Square Mall and Westbank Market are close by, as is Barton Creek Greenbelt and Zilker Park, one of the best parks in Austin.
The schools are top-rated, and Barton Creek Country Club offers its members exclusive access to tennis courts, a heated pool, group fitness classes, and several golf courses. Barton Creek is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Austin, but it comes with everything you want. This is one of the safest parts of Austin.
Avery Ranch | A Safe Neighborhood in Austin Ideal for Families
- Population: 21,780
- Avery Ranch crime: 51% lower than the national average
- Average rent: $1,379
- Median home price: $497,450
Avery Ranch is one of the safest places to live in Austin. Young professionals and families flock to the community, attracted to the quiet lifestyle and family-friendly atmosphere. At nearby Brushy Creek Lake Park, residents enjoy canoeing, kayaking, bocce ball, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails. Kids splash in the spray fountains in the summer and have fun on the playgrounds. Robinson Playground Park and Dog House Drinkery Dog Park are also great places for kids to enjoy.
The Round Rock Independent School District is a top-rated district in Austin. Besides traditional public schools, the district offers students multi-linguistic and integrated technology options. For student-athletes, the district provides opportunities for a variety of sports. The average age of adults in Avery Ranch is 39, making this one of the safest Austin neighborhoods for young adults. This is the safest area of Austin for families.
Downtown | A Safe and Hip Neighborhood in Austin
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- Population: 9,560
- Downtown crime: 30% lower than the national average
- Average rent: $3,378
- Median home price: $810,000
Downtown Austin is one of the safe areas in Austin for young professionals and singles, with a vibrant nightlife, the best live music scene in Texas, and some of the best recreation and dining options in the city. Many ask, “Is Austin safe?” and yes, Austin is very safe for a large city. Residents are close to the action, yet downtown is a safe neighborhood in Austin to live in.
For outdoor enthusiasts, rent paddleboards and kayaks at the Texas Rowing Center or the Austin Paddle Shack and row along the Colorado River. The Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail is great for hikers and bikers. For those with pets, downtown has two pet-friendly parks and playgrounds. The Blanton Museum features a collection of over 19,000 works of art spanning many genres. Kids and adults can learn all about Texas at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, which is educational for both kids and adults.
Hyde Park | Best For Students
- Population: 15,856
- Hyde Park crime: 82% lower than the national average
- Average rent: $1,654
- Median home price: $625,000
The community of Hyde Park is one of the best safe Austin neighborhoods that is just north of the University of Texas. You’ll find a ton of bars, coffee shops, and young professionals and students who live here. Though this neighborhood is residential, it still has a city feel. The majority of the shops and stores are walkable, so many residents don’t have a car.
Though there isn’t a true gayborhood in Austin, thanks to LGBTQ+ residents being openly accepted, you will find many individuals from the LGBTQ+ community in Hyde Park. This isn’t the most kid-friendly neighborhood since nightlife and clubs run abound, making it very popular among students.
Shady Hollow | Affordable and Safe Neighborhood in Austin
- Population: 4,900
- Shady Hollow crime: 70% lower than the national average
- Average rent: $1,654
- Median home price: $608,000
Shady Hollow is a quiet suburban community close to stores and restaurants and provides easy access to local highways and downtown Austin. The neighborhood is family-friendly, with four parks and a community center with a pool, basketball courts, playscapes, nature trails, and tennis courts. The Homeowner’s Association is active in preserving property values and maintaining a safe, cozy neighborhood. The streets in Shady Hollow are wide, and the lots have plenty of trees on them.
The Shady Hollow Village Shopping Center and the South Park Meadows Shopping Center are close by for convenient shopping and dining opportunities. Shady Hollow is serviced by the Austin Independent School District and has highly-rated schools. Most homes in the community were built in the early ‘80s and ‘90s, but there is some newer construction in the area. Home prices start at around $200,000, making Shady Hollow an affordable Austin neighborhood.
Cherrywood | Best Up and Coming Neighborhood
- Population: 4,337
- Cherrywood crime: 45% lower than the national average
- Average rent: $1,472
- Median home price: $772,500
Cherrywood is a safe, up-and-coming community for young professionals, young families, and singles because of its proximity to downtown. The average age is just 31.9, and 50% of the population are singles, making it one of the youngest neighborhoods in Austin. The community is just three miles from downtown and all the amenities it offers, yet it has quiet, tree-lined streets and single-family ranch-style and contemporary homes.
Willowbrook Reach and Patterson Neighborhood Park are in the neighborhood, offering basketball courts, tennis courts, a skateboard park, and more. Mueller Lake Park and Southwest Greenway are right next door, so residents in Cherrywood have plenty of outdoor activity opportunities. Although downtown has many restaurants and shops, Cherrywood has good local eateries, shops, and coffeehouses. The campus of the University of Texas is conveniently close, but Cherrywood doesn’t have a student housing vibe.
Spanish Oaks | Safe Gated Austin Community
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- Population: 2,883
- Spanish Oaks crime: 64% lower than the national average
- Average rent: N/A
- Median home price: $1,720,000
Spanish Oaks is a luxury, gated community, with a manned security gate designed to be one of the safe neighborhoods in Austin. Residents enjoy resort-style living on large 1+ acre lots and fantastic views of the hill country. Spanish Oaks is surrounded by more than 15,000 acres of permanently-protected nature preserves with miles of hiking and biking trails to explore, as well as boating on Lake Travis. The resort-style community pool is for residents only.
The highly-acclaimed, exclusive Spanish Oaks Golf Club, with an 18-hole PGA golf course that Golfweek rates as the third best in Texas is available for residents to join. Spanish Oaks is served by the high-rated Lake Travis Independent School District. Enjoy luxury living in this gated community that’s only a short 20-minute drive away from downtown Austin. Homes in Spanish Oaks have a contemporary style with all the amenities inside and out. Dining, entertainment, and shopping are all close by at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, as well as the farmers market each Sunday.
Safe Austin Neighborhoods Map
If you’ve decided on which of the many safe neighborhoods in Austin you’re ready to move to, let Unicorn Moving handle all the packaging, lifting, and carrying for you. We’ve been voted the best mover in Austin six years in a row, so you can trust us to take care of all your moving needs. Give us a call today at 512-339-9922 or fill out our online form to receive your free moving quote!
