Austin Texas is a firey pit of HELL with one of the worst colleges you could imagine. However, about 70 miles closer to where you are is a great place where the beer is cold, the women pretty, and the education fantastic. Our profs may be every bit as liberal as what you would find at t.u., but you might also find that they are kept in check by the most conservative student body in the nation.
Seriously- you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to live in College Station, Austin is quite expensive to live in, otherwise, I'd pick the schools based on their programs. Austin has some pretty good living though. Free concerts, many by recognized folks like Willie, Asleep at the Wheel and Stevie Ray Vaughn (back before he went to do that gig for St. Peter). Barton Springs is the finest natural swimming hole on the planet, and there's lots to do in Austin unless it involves firearms and then you're somewhat limited. Austin is San Francisco in Texas. It is the most liberal city in the state and they pass some of the goofiest laws. Austin is definately NOT gun friendly. Still Red's out by Oak Hill is a good gun store with lots of stuff and an indoor range. There's also a great little gunshop up north on 183 that has all kinds of goodies as well, but I forget what their name is.
Crime is like any other big city, maybe a little less than New Orleans. It depends greatly on what part of town you are in. Some parts of Austin are as safe as the vatican, and others are about as rough as it comes. It is easy to avoid the rough places though. CHL is liberal indeed if you even bother to get one. I've never bothered, but then when I get pulled over I always seem to be either "travelling" or going to a sporting event which makes possession perfectly legal (don't take legal advice from me though, do your own research).
