| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Houston/100k people | Texas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 126,200 | n/a (estimate) | 5,442 | 2,430 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 320 | n/a | 13.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1,693 | n/a | 73.0 | 50.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 6,355 | n/a | 274.0 | 63.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 18,260 | n/a | 787.4 | 270.7 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 26,628 | n/a (estimate) | 1,148 | 389 | 359 |
| Burglary | 14,953 | n/a | 644.8 | 284.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 68,315 | n/a | 2,945.7 | 1,425.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 16,304 | n/a | 703.0 | 330.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 99,572 | n/a (estimate) | 4,293 | 2,041 | 1,760 |
The Houston crime rates are 156.8% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 26628 violent crimes in Houston (1148 per 100,000 people), which is 219.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 99572 property crimes (4293 per 100,000 residents) which is 143.9% higher than average.
In Houston, the crime rate stands at 5442 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 156.78%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Houston that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Houston ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1148 per 100,000 people, Houston is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 88 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Houston, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Houston ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Houston, there were a total of 320 murders, translating to 14 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Houston has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4293 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Houston is 1 in 24, which is far higher than the national average.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Houston faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 16304 vehicle thefts, translating to 703 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Houston in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 143.
What do the local residents think about crime in Houston? Well, based on a recent survey of 435 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 36% of Houston residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 64% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Houston, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Houston presents a total crime rate that is 157% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Houston experiences an average of 345.75 daily crimes, comprising 72.95 violent incidents and 272.8 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Houston. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Houston has increased by 1.5%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 6%, while property crime has increased by 3.7%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Houston.
There are more than 26 different neighborhoods in the Houston area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Houston include West University, Greater Memorial and Far Northeast. While Westchase, Far North and Northeast have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Houston, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4.4%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Houston, 74.2% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
In Houston, the cost of living is 0.13% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
| Item | Houston | Texas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 6,663 | 46,020 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Texas /100K | National /100K |
| Texas | 95,281 | 443 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Piney Point Village, TX | 3,522 | 74 | 389 | 463 |
| Bunker Hill Village, TX | 4,079 | 74 | 389 | 463 |
| Hunters Creek Village, TX | 4,975 | 101 | 530 | 631 |
| Spring Valley Village, TX | 4,398 | 101 | 530 | 631 |
| Brookside Village, TX | 1,460 | 106 | 553 | 659 |
| Galena Park, TX | 11,097 | 109 | 789 | 898 |
| Hilshire Village, TX | 913 | 157 | 824 | 981 |
| Houston, TX | 2,385,298 | 1,148 | 4,293 | 5,442 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Chicago, IL | 2,804,582 | 540 | 3,472 | 4,012 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,698,457 | 800 | 2,325 | 3,125 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,632,157 | 909 | 4,548 | 5,457 |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,573,237 | 594 | 4,624 | 5,218 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,466,871 | 412 | 1,670 | 2,082 |
| Houston, TX | 2,385,298 | 1,148 | 4,293 | 5,442 |
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