Is Amarillo or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Amarillo is safer than Houston (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,346 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 39% lower. Amarillo has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Amarillo has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 11.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amarillo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amarillo, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amarillo | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,346.2 | 5,441.7 | -2,095.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 690.5 | 1,148.3 | -457.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 13.8 | -5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.9 | 73.0 | +0.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.7 | 274.0 | -187.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 521.6 | 787.4 | -265.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,655.7 | 4,293.5 | -1,637.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 377.8 | 644.8 | -267.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,017.4 | 2,945.7 | -928.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 260.5 | 703.0 | -442.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amarillo or Houston safer?
Amarillo is safer with a total crime rate of 3,346 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amarillo has a violent crime rate of 690.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Amarillo has lower violent crime.
About Amarillo, TX
Amarillo, a Panhandle city, sits at the crossroads of I-40 and I-27. Home to the Cadillac Ranch, its economy has historically relied on cattle and oil. The population is approximately 200,000. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 203,039, Amarillo has a total crime rate of 3,346.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.