Is Defiance or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Defiance is safer than Houston (Safety Score 60/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,397 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 74% lower. Defiance has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Defiance has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 136.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Defiance — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Defiance, OH
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Defiance | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,396.6 | 5,441.7 | -4,045.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 217.1 | 1,148.3 | -931.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.7 | 73.0 | -14.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 158.4 | 787.4 | -628.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,179.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,114.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 123.2 | 644.8 | -521.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,038.6 | 2,945.7 | -1,907.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 17.6 | 703.0 | -685.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Defiance or Houston safer?
Defiance is safer with a total crime rate of 1,397 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Defiance has a violent crime rate of 217.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Defiance has lower violent crime.
About Defiance, OH
Defiance, Ohio, named for Fort Defiance built by Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne, is a small city in northwest Ohio at the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers. Its population is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic community. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 17,042, Defiance has a total crime rate of 1,396.6 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.