Is Artesia or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Artesia is safer than Houston (Safety Score 25/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 51% lower. Artesia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Artesia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 190.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Artesia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Artesia, NM
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Artesia | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.8 | 5,441.7 | -2,791.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 493.8 | 1,148.3 | -654.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 139.9 | 73.0 | +66.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.5 | 274.0 | -257.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 337.4 | 787.4 | -450.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,156.0 | 4,293.5 | -2,137.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 436.1 | 644.8 | -208.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,604.7 | 2,945.7 | -1,341.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 115.2 | 703.0 | -587.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Artesia or Houston safer?
Artesia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Artesia has a violent crime rate of 493.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Artesia has lower violent crime.
About Artesia, NM
Artesia, New Mexico, a town of around 12,000 residents in Eddy County, thrives on oil and agriculture. Its name comes from the artesian wells discovered in the early 1900s, transforming the arid landscape. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 12,152, Artesia has a total crime rate of 2,649.8 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.