Is Denver or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Denver (Safety Score 3/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 5,755 for Denver — 5% lower. Denver has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Denver has a 36% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Denver — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Denver, CO
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Denver | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,754.7 | 5,441.7 | +313.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 993.2 | 1,148.3 | -155.1 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 13.8 | -4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 93.6 | 73.0 | +20.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 176.2 | 274.0 | -97.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 713.4 | 787.4 | -74.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,761.6 | 4,293.5 | +468.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 708.0 | 644.8 | +63.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,821.6 | 2,945.7 | -124.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,231.9 | 703.0 | +528.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver or Houston safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 5,755 for Denver — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Denver has a violent crime rate of 993.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Denver has lower violent crime.
About Denver, CO
Denver, the "Mile High City," sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, a hub of Western expansion since its 1858 founding during the Gold Rush. This rapidly growing city is home to a diverse population of over 700,000 residents. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 722,031, Denver has a total crime rate of 5,754.7 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.