Is Elgin or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elgin is safer than Houston (Safety Score 51/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,642 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 70% lower. Elgin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Elgin has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 174.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elgin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elgin, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elgin | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,642.1 | 5,441.7 | -3,799.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.2 | 1,148.3 | -975.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.5 | 13.8 | -6.3 |
| Rape Rate | 45.2 | 73.0 | -27.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.2 | 274.0 | -228.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 75.3 | 787.4 | -712.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,468.8 | 4,293.5 | -2,824.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 278.7 | 644.8 | -366.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 986.7 | 2,945.7 | -1,958.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.4 | 703.0 | -499.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elgin or Houston safer?
Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,642 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elgin has a violent crime rate of 173.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Elgin has lower violent crime.
About Elgin, TX
Elgin, known as the "Brick Capital of the Southwest," is a city in Bastrop and Travis counties. It's a small, predominantly Hispanic community situated along U.S. Route 290. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 13,276, Elgin has a total crime rate of 1,642.1 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.