Is Elk City or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elk City is safer than Houston (Safety Score 64/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,259 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 77% lower. Elk City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elk City has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 207.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elk City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elk City, OK
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elk City | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,258.8 | 5,441.7 | -4,182.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 223.2 | 1,148.3 | -925.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.9 | 13.8 | -4.9 |
| Rape Rate | 71.4 | 73.0 | -1.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.9 | 274.0 | -256.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 125.0 | 787.4 | -662.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,035.6 | 4,293.5 | -3,257.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 276.8 | 644.8 | -368.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 705.3 | 2,945.7 | -2,240.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.6 | 703.0 | -649.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elk City or Houston safer?
Elk City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,259 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elk City has a violent crime rate of 223.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Elk City has lower violent crime.
About Elk City, OK
Elk City, in western Oklahoma's Beckham County, thrived as a stop on Route 66. This city, primarily agricultural, is home to the National Route 66 Museum. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 11,201, Elk City has a total crime rate of 1,258.8 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.