Is Athol or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Athol is safer than Houston (Safety Score 67/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,184 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 78% lower. Athol has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Athol has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 190.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Athol — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Athol, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Athol | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,183.7 | 5,441.7 | -4,258.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.1 | 1,148.3 | -696.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 73.0 | -15.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 394.6 | 787.4 | -392.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 731.6 | 4,293.5 | -3,561.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 106.9 | 644.8 | -537.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 616.5 | 2,945.7 | -2,329.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.2 | 703.0 | -694.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athol or Houston safer?
Athol is safer with a total crime rate of 1,184 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Athol has a violent crime rate of 452.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Athol has lower violent crime.
About Athol, MA
Athol, "Tool Town," is a small manufacturing community in north-central Massachusetts, bisected by the Millers River. Its population of around 9,000 has seen a slight decline in recent decades. The town once boasted a thriving shoe industry. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 12,165, Athol has a total crime rate of 1,183.7 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.