Is Columbus or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Houston (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Columbus has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 5,441.7 | -2,353.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 1,148.3 | -713.3 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 13.8 | -1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 73.0 | +51.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 274.0 | -186.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 787.4 | -576.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 4,293.5 | -1,640.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 644.8 | -240.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 2,945.7 | -1,239.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 703.0 | -160.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Houston safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 3,088 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 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.