Is East Sixth safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates East Sixth as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on East Sixth
“Go with care. East Sixth is a vibrant, trendy cultural and culinary corridor that is markedly safer and more laid-back than its downtown counterpart west of I-35. While property crimes like vehicle break-ins and occasional late-night bar-district disturbances occur, daytime and evening visits are generally very safe.”
About the area
East Sixth Street is East Austin's premier nightlife, arts, and dining strip, lined with cocktail lounges, microbreweries, and acclaimed restaurants. The neighborhood balances hip modern apartment complexes with historic bungalows and a rich Tejano heritage.
- Hip Dining Hub
- Nightlife Heavy
- Trendy & Artsy
- Rapidly Gentrifying
Walking and biking in East Sixth
Walk score: 92/100 · Bike score: 88/100
The neighborhood features dedicated bike lanes along 4th and 5th Streets, easy access to the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, and multiple CapMetro Bikeshare stations.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High local median household income exceeding $95,000 driven by recent residential development
- Active street life and steady foot traffic provide strong natural surveillance through the evening
- Far fewer concentrated violent crime incidents compared to historic Downtown Sixth Street
Cons
- Elevated rates of opportunistic property crimes, particularly vehicle break-ins and bike theft
- Proximity to the I-35 highway corridor introduces higher rates of panhandling and late-night spillover
- Late-night alcohol-related disorderly conduct around closing time (2:00 AM)
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is present primarily closer to the I-35 underpass and near major transit nodes, though street encampments have been curtailed under citywide camping ordinances.
What East Sixth is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with joggers, dog walkers, and locals grabbing morning espresso at neighborhood cafes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and secure with patio diners, boutique shoppers, and light pedestrian traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Bustling and vibrant as dinner crowds and bar-goers fill the sidewalks; well-lit and generally safe.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Rowdier after midnight with alcohol-fueled crowds; stay aware around dark side streets and near the I-35 underpass.
Transit, parking and getting around
CapMetro serves the corridor with the MetroRail Red Line stopping directly at Plaza Saltillo Station on East 5th Street, alongside frequent east-west bus routes like Route 4.
Street parking along East Sixth is mostly metered and fills quickly on weekends; paid surface lots and parking garages near Plaza Saltillo typically charge $10 to $20.
Things to do in East Sixth
- Sample craft beers and wood-fired tacos on the spacious patio at Lazarus Brewing Co.
- Browse local art galleries and artisan pop-up markets along the 6th Street corridor
- Enjoy signature mezcal cocktails and live patio music at Whisler's
Local favorites
- Suerte · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (1650)Celebrated upscale eatery serving house-nixtamalized masa dishes and craft mezcal cocktails.
- Whisler's · Cocktail Bar · 4.6★ (1400)Rustic-chic cocktail bar featuring an intimate upstairs mezcaleria and a lively outdoor patio.
- Lazarus Brewing Co. · Brewery · 4.6★ (1550)Community hub offering house-brewed beers, espresso drinks, and street tacos in a relaxed space.
Neighborhoods near East Sixth
Common questions about East Sixth
Is East Sixth safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is East Sixth a good place to live?
On safety, East Sixth scores 75/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is East Sixth?
Walk score 92/100 and bike score 88/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near East Sixth are safer?
Morsland Place (82), Popes (80), Blackshear-Prospect Hill (76) score higher nearby.
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