Is Amherst or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Amherst is safer than Houston (Safety Score 93/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 466 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 91% lower. Amherst has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Amherst has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 50.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amherst — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amherst, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amherst | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 466.5 | 5,441.7 | -4,975.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 159.8 | 1,148.3 | -988.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 73.0 | -1.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.5 | 274.0 | -267.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.1 | 787.4 | -705.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 306.7 | 4,293.5 | -3,986.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 34.6 | 644.8 | -610.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 263.5 | 2,945.7 | -2,682.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.6 | 703.0 | -694.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amherst or Houston safer?
Amherst is safer with a total crime rate of 466 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amherst has a violent crime rate of 159.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Amherst has lower violent crime.
About Amherst, MA
Amherst, Massachusetts, home to Emily Dickinson's homestead, is a college town in the Pioneer Valley. It's a predominantly white community with a significant student population. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 46,304, Amherst has a total crime rate of 466.5 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.