Is Burien or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burien is safer than Houston (Safety Score 10/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 30% lower. Burien has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Burien has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 46.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burien — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burien, WA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burien | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,819.7 | 5,441.7 | -1,622.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 425.3 | 1,148.3 | -723.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 13.8 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 65.6 | 73.0 | -7.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 274.0 | -111.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 192.8 | 787.4 | -594.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,394.4 | 4,293.5 | -899.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 576.3 | 644.8 | -68.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,752.9 | 2,945.7 | -1,192.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,065.2 | 703.0 | +362.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burien or Houston safer?
Burien is safer with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burien has a violent crime rate of 425.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Burien has lower violent crime.
About Burien, WA
Burien, a Puget Sound city, was once nicknamed "Booburb" for its growth. It's home to a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community, and offers views of the Olympic Mountains. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 50,318, Burien has a total crime rate of 3,819.7 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.