Is Elko or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elko is safer than Houston (Safety Score 45/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 66% lower. Elko has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elko has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 111.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elko — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elko, NV
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elko | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,836.0 | 5,441.7 | -3,605.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 397.9 | 1,148.3 | -750.4 |
| Murder Rate | 9.6 | 13.8 | -4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 91.1 | 73.0 | +18.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.2 | 274.0 | -254.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 278.0 | 787.4 | -509.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,438.1 | 4,293.5 | -2,855.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.2 | 644.8 | -371.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 963.5 | 2,945.7 | -1,982.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 201.3 | 703.0 | -501.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elko or Houston safer?
Elko is safer with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elko has a violent crime rate of 397.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Elko has lower violent crime.
About Elko, NV
Elko, a high desert city in northeastern Nevada, is known as the "Heart of Northeast Nevada" and for hosting the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Its economy has historical ties to ranching and gold mining. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 20,861, Elko has a total crime rate of 1,836.0 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.