Is Auburn or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Auburn is safer than Houston (Safety Score 25/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,644 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 51% lower. Auburn has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Auburn has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 92.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Auburn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Auburn, ME
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Auburn | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,644.0 | 5,441.7 | -2,797.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.7 | 1,148.3 | -932.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 13.8 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 51.9 | 73.0 | -21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 274.0 | -234.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 119.8 | 787.4 | -667.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,428.3 | 4,293.5 | -1,865.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 143.8 | 644.8 | -501.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,088.8 | 2,945.7 | -856.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.7 | 703.0 | -507.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn or Houston safer?
Auburn is safer with a total crime rate of 2,644 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Auburn has a violent crime rate of 215.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Auburn has lower violent crime.
About Auburn, ME
Auburn, Maine, once known as "The Twin Cities" with Lewiston, is a former shoe manufacturing hub along the Androscoggin River. It is home to a diverse population of just under 25,000 residents. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 25,038, Auburn has a total crime rate of 2,644.0 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.