Is Ashland or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Houston (Safety Score 82/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 774 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 86% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 123.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 774.1 | 5,441.7 | -4,667.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.4 | 1,148.3 | -1,052.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 10.6 | 73.0 | -62.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 274.0 | -268.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 787.4 | -707.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 678.7 | 4,293.5 | -3,614.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 270.4 | 644.8 | -374.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 233.3 | 2,945.7 | -2,712.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 175.0 | 703.0 | -528.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Houston safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 774 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 95.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, MA
Ashland, MA, once home to a section of the Boston Marathon, is a small town in Middlesex County. With a population of around 18,000, it features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 18,861, Ashland has a total crime rate of 774.1 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.