Is Big Spring or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Big Spring is safer than Houston (Safety Score 12/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,548 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 35% lower. Big Spring has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Big Spring has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 109.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Big Spring — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Big Spring, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Big Spring | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,548.4 | 5,441.7 | -1,893.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 762.4 | 1,148.3 | -385.9 |
| Murder Rate | 14.1 | 13.8 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 61.2 | 73.0 | -11.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.1 | 274.0 | -227.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 640.0 | 787.4 | -147.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,786.0 | 4,293.5 | -1,507.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 607.1 | 644.8 | -37.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,877.7 | 2,945.7 | -1,067.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 301.2 | 703.0 | -401.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Spring or Houston safer?
Big Spring is safer with a total crime rate of 3,548 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Big Spring has a violent crime rate of 762.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Big Spring has lower violent crime.
About Big Spring, TX
Big Spring, Texas, in Howard County, began as a watering hole on the Comanche Trail. This West Texas city is a hub for oil and gas, with a population around 28,000. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 21,249, Big Spring has a total crime rate of 3,548.4 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.