Is Brownsville or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brownsville is safer than Houston (Safety Score 31/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 56% lower. Brownsville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brownsville has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 12.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brownsville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brownsville, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brownsville | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,397.8 | 5,441.7 | -3,044.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 456.0 | 1,148.3 | -692.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 13.8 | -11.7 |
| Rape Rate | 30.9 | 73.0 | -42.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.7 | 274.0 | -213.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 362.4 | 787.4 | -424.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,941.7 | 4,293.5 | -2,351.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 192.5 | 644.8 | -452.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,335.6 | 2,945.7 | -1,610.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 413.7 | 703.0 | -289.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brownsville or Houston safer?
Brownsville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brownsville has a violent crime rate of 456.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Brownsville has lower violent crime.
About Brownsville, TX
Brownsville, the southernmost city in Texas, is a vibrant border community with a rich Tejano heritage. Situated on the Rio Grande, it's home to a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 191,221, Brownsville has a total crime rate of 2,397.8 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.