Is Desoto or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Desoto is safer than Houston (Safety Score 41/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,969 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 64% lower. Desoto has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Desoto has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 41.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Desoto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Desoto, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Desoto | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,968.6 | 5,441.7 | -3,473.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 325.7 | 1,148.3 | -822.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.8 | 13.8 | -12.0 |
| Rape Rate | 47.8 | 73.0 | -25.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.7 | 274.0 | -217.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.5 | 787.4 | -567.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,642.8 | 4,293.5 | -2,650.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 175.3 | 644.8 | -469.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,134.8 | 2,945.7 | -1,810.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 332.8 | 703.0 | -370.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desoto or Houston safer?
Desoto is safer with a total crime rate of 1,969 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Desoto has a violent crime rate of 325.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Desoto has lower violent crime.
About Desoto, TX
DeSoto, Texas, a southern Dallas County suburb, was once a stop on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. This diverse community boasts a significant African American population and is home to the historic DeSoto Town Center. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 56,488, Desoto has a total crime rate of 1,968.6 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.