You'll soon be staying in the capital of Texas and want to know which areas to avoid in Austin, the worst and best neighborhoods to stay in . Whether it's for a business trip, a short stay, or a tourist visit, you're looking to avoid dangerous areas in Austin.

It is true that with the increase in urban violence, it is more prudent to find out about neighborhoods, especially in large American or European cities.

And even if Austin is not in the list of the most dangerous cities in the United States, there are still less safe neighborhoods than others.

So, to avoid the most dangerous areas and find the best neighborhoods to stay in Austin, here is a complete 2024 guide with a map of the city's main neighborhoods.

This article was written by making a synthesis of the information published on the web (economic media, local press, rankings and world statistics) and therefore does not contain any judgment or discrimination.

Is Austin a dangerous city in 2024?

No, in 2024 Austin is not one of the most dangerous American cities.

Indeed, in the city of Austin, Texas, the crime rate is lower than the national average. And when compared to other cities of similar size, Austin ranks among the safest cities in the country. You can see for yourself by consulting the statistics from city-data.com , areavibes.com , crimegrade.org , or the FBI.

This is also confirmed by Numbeo's ranking of the most crime-ridden cities in the USA. Indeed, Austin ranks in the lower range. Its crime index places it 50th out of 59 American cities ranked according to their crime levels.

With its very low crime index (39.24), Austin is, in comparison, less dangerous than American cities like Dallas , Houston , Atlanta , Detroit , Baltimore , Chicago or New Orleans.

See the green dot below on the Numbeo.com site map:

Finally, if we compare crime indices globally , Austin would be less dangerous than cities like Bangkok , Toronto , Berlin or Bordeaux in France.

Is Austin Texas safe for tourists?

Yes, but as in most large cities, visitors must remain vigilant.

Located on the edge of the Hill Country region, on the Colorado between lakes Travis, Austin, and Lady Bird, the city of Austin attracts many tourists for:

• Its country, blues, rock or pop concerts: Austin is described as the "world capital of live music",
• Its iconic University of Texas campus;
• Its many national parks and lakes for wonderful hiking, biking, boating on Lake Austin or simply swimming;
• Its cultural, historical and architectural heritage (The Capitol, the Texas Memorial Museum, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, the Laguna Gloria or the Bullock Texas State History Museum);
• And further south, for its Formula 1 circuit which hosts the United States Grand Prix.

Tourists should therefore not deprive themselves of staying in this magnificent city of Texas. They will simply have to avoid the less safe areas (see details below) and remain cautious around tourist sites. The risk of pickpockets, scams or phone theft is present as in all tourist areas.

Austin Texas - Neighborhood Map

To understand the geographical organization of the city, here are the main areas of the city of Austin Texas:

• Austin Center

• North Austin
  • North Center
  • North East coast
  • North West
  • Far North

• South Austin
  • central south
  • Center South East / Riverside
  • South East
  • South West

• East Austin
• West Austin

For the center of Austin, there are 22 neighborhoods (see the complete list on the Wikipedia website ).

To more easily locate areas to avoid in Austin, here is a map of the main neighborhoods: https://maps.app.goo.gl/S6Hr4HVE6ZNP9B7w8

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Austin

By synthesizing various statistics found online, while not as dangerous as those in Mexico City or Johannesburg , here are the 10 least safe areas in Austin:

• Montopolis
• Martin Luther King (MLK)
• Riverside
• Rosewood
• Bouldin
• Georgian Acres
• Pecan Springs Springdale
• Heritage Hills
• Windsor park
• University Hills

Those defined as dangerous are the neighborhoods with the highest per capita rates of violent crime and property crime. Click on their links to see their location on Google Maps.

To form your own opinion, I recommend consulting the official crime report compiled by the Austin police or checking where recent crimes have occurred in Austin on the website: spotcrime.com

Areas to Avoid in Outlying Austin

Without being areas where visitors risk their lives, here are the areas that are deemed less attractive for choosing accommodation:

Areas to avoid in Austin to the East

East Austin used to have a reputation for being the worst area of ​​the city. However, in recent years, parts of this area have been transformed and gentrified. But some places on the east side of Austin are still best avoided, especially since there's no tourist appeal for visitors looking for accommodation there. In fact, the worst area of ​​Austin is located in the Southeast: Montopolis . The same is true around East Riverside-Oltorf, where you can find drug addicts using drugs on the street and some ghettos (though they aren't dangerous).

Areas to Avoid in Austin North

The areas around Highland Mall and Rundberg Lane in North Austin are known for all kinds of trafficking, but they are not actually dangerous.

Areas to Avoid in Southeast Austin

Del Valle is an area adjacent to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in southeast Austin that also has a bad reputation for drug trafficking.

Is Downtown Austin safe for tourists?

Despite the increase in crime in the downtown core, its crime rate remains low compared to other downtown neighborhoods in other major US cities. Additionally, in light of this increase in crime, an increased police presence has been implemented from the University of Texas campus, to the Capitol area to downtown.

So, downtown Austin remains neither a safe nor the most dangerous place. It is recommended not to go far from busy places, not to walk in isolated or poorly lit streets. See the comment (at the bottom of the article) from a user who indicates that Downtown is a dangerous place.

For those looking for quiet, you will want to avoid the 6th Street area (see more below).

Areas to Avoid in Downtown Austin

Over the past three years, violence has been on the rise in downtown Austin and on West Campus, which is adjacent to Downtown. This is according to articles in austinmonthly , austin.culturemap.com , and austinmonitor.com.

Among the most problematic areas in the city center is the infamous 6th Street . Austin residents call it "Dirty 6th".

Both beloved and frequented by tourists and students, this area is disliked by Austin residents due to rising crime, noise, and vandalism. Indeed, it is in the 6th Street area that most of the bars and nightlife venues are located. According to the CrimeReports website , the majority of crimes are concentrated in the 6th Street district of downtown.

Best neighborhood to stay in Austin

It's hard to name the best area to stay in Austin. Indeed, Austin is a collection of pretty and beautiful neighborhoods that all have their own particularity, their own identity and atmosphere. Some neighborhoods can be liked by some and hated by others. Indeed, choosing the best neighborhood depends on the desires and tastes of each.

On the other hand, as in all cities, there are neighborhoods that are safer, trendier or more chic than others. Among the best areas to stay in Austin, real estate agencies are unanimous on the following:

• Downtown even though it's not a 100% safe area
• Barton Hills
• Old West Austin 
• Brentwood
• Gateway
• Allandale
• crestview

Best neighborhood in Austin for tourists

For tourists looking for accommodation in Austin, the most popular area is Downtown . This is where tourists typically stay, as it's known for its live music venues, restaurants, numerous bars, and of course, its shops, museums, and galleries.

However, as you can read above, Downtown has areas that are less safe than others.

Downtown Austin best area for tourists

Downtown Austin is a large area located on the north bank of the Colorado River, extending from Lamar Boulevard in the west to I-35 in the east, and from the university campus to Lady Bird Lake. See Downtown Austin location

It is the tourist heart of the city of Austin which houses a rich architectural heritage such as the Capitol (1888), the Driskill Hotel (1886), and many museums. In addition, Downtown is the district of restaurants, bars, shows and entertainment, especially on East 6th Street.

Where to stay in Downtown Austin?

Downtown has several neighborhoods: Judge's Hill, Civic District, West End, Medical District, Market District, Seaholm District, Waller Creek District, Financial District and Red River Cultural District.

The Red River Cultural District , the Waller Creek District and the Waller Creek District are the best neighborhoods in Austin to enjoy the live music scene without straying too far from the city's other cultural and tourist attractions.

Which hotel in Downtown Austin?

Far from the areas to avoid in Austin, the hotel I recommend is the Hilton . It's adjacent to the Austin Convention Center, a 15-minute walk from the Texas State Capitol, and just 5 minutes from the lively Sixth Street area (370 meters). This hotel has an ideal location for tourists. In addition, it boasts a splendid rooftop pool on the 8th floor and a fitness center.

South Congress best neighborhood for shopping in Austin

South Congress (SOCO), south of the Colorado River is one of Austin's trendiest neighborhoods. It is popular for its many boutiques, malls, galleries and antique shops and its streets are very lively.

For tourists, the most attractive site in the South Congress complex is the Continental Club . Indeed, it is as much a historical monument as a legendary concert venue!

So, for those looking to stay in a nice area, away from the neighborhoods to avoid in Austin, I recommend the TownePlace Suites Austin South . It's a very decent hotel with excellent value for money.