Is Baytown or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Baytown is safer than Houston (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,241 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 40% lower. Baytown has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Baytown has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 27.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Baytown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Baytown, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Baytown | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,241.3 | 5,441.7 | -2,200.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 440.0 | 1,148.3 | -708.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 13.8 | -6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 76.5 | 73.0 | +3.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.6 | 274.0 | -209.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 291.7 | 787.4 | -495.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,801.3 | 4,293.5 | -1,492.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 389.8 | 644.8 | -255.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,962.0 | 2,945.7 | -983.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 449.6 | 703.0 | -253.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baytown or Houston safer?
Baytown is safer with a total crime rate of 3,241 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Baytown has a violent crime rate of 440.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Baytown has lower violent crime.
About Baytown, TX
Baytown, Texas, a petrochemical hub on Galveston Bay, was formed by the 1948 merger of Goose Creek, Pelly, and Baytown. This Houston-area city is home to a diverse population of over 80,000 residents. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 83,639, Baytown has a total crime rate of 3,241.3 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.