Is Brownwood or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brownwood is safer than Houston (Safety Score 26/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,609 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 52% lower. Brownwood has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Brownwood has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 123.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brownwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brownwood, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brownwood | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,608.9 | 5,441.7 | -2,832.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 362.1 | 1,148.3 | -786.2 |
| Murder Rate | 10.7 | 13.8 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 85.2 | 73.0 | +12.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.0 | 274.0 | -258.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 250.2 | 787.4 | -537.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,246.8 | 4,293.5 | -2,046.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 420.6 | 644.8 | -224.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,682.5 | 2,945.7 | -1,263.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 143.8 | 703.0 | -559.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brownwood or Houston safer?
Brownwood is safer with a total crime rate of 2,609 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brownwood has a violent crime rate of 362.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Brownwood has lower violent crime.
About Brownwood, TX
Brownwood, Texas, county seat of Brown County, is a city in Central Texas established in 1856. It hosts Howard Payne University and sits at the confluence of Pecan Bayou and Jim Ned Creek. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 18,782, Brownwood has a total crime rate of 2,608.9 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.