Is Balch Springs or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Balch Springs is safer than Houston (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,237 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 41% lower. Balch Springs has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Balch Springs has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 86.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Balch Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Balch Springs, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Balch Springs | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,236.5 | 5,441.7 | -2,205.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 421.3 | 1,148.3 | -726.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 41.0 | 73.0 | -32.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.1 | 274.0 | -165.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 268.5 | 787.4 | -518.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,815.2 | 4,293.5 | -1,478.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 331.9 | 644.8 | -312.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,830.8 | 2,945.7 | -1,114.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 652.5 | 703.0 | -50.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Balch Springs or Houston safer?
Balch Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 3,237 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Balch Springs has a violent crime rate of 421.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Balch Springs has lower violent crime.
About Balch Springs, TX
Balch Springs, a Dallas suburb, was once known as a farming community for its rich blackland prairie soil. Situated primarily in Dallas County, it's a diverse city with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 26,819, Balch Springs has a total crime rate of 3,236.5 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.