Is Arlington or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Arlington is safer than Houston (Safety Score 92/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 490 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 91% lower. Arlington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Arlington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 49.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 489.8 | 5,441.7 | -4,951.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 55.4 | 1,148.3 | -1,092.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 10.7 | 73.0 | -62.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 44.7 | 787.4 | -742.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 434.5 | 4,293.5 | -3,859.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.6 | 644.8 | -585.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 338.6 | 2,945.7 | -2,607.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.2 | 703.0 | -666.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or Houston safer?
Arlington is safer with a total crime rate of 490 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington has a violent crime rate of 55.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Arlington has lower violent crime.
About Arlington, MA
Arlington, MA, a historic suburb northwest of Boston, was once home to Uncle Sam. This densely populated town of over 46,000 residents features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers along Massachusetts Avenue. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 46,956, Arlington has a total crime rate of 489.8 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.