Is Elon or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elon is safer than Houston (Safety Score 96/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 388 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 93% lower. Elon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elon has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 200.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elon, NC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elon | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 388.4 | 5,441.7 | -5,053.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 77.7 | 1,148.3 | -1,070.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 25.9 | 73.0 | -47.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.8 | 787.4 | -735.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 310.8 | 4,293.5 | -3,982.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 69.1 | 644.8 | -575.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 207.2 | 2,945.7 | -2,738.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.5 | 703.0 | -668.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elon or Houston safer?
Elon is safer with a total crime rate of 388 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 93% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elon has a violent crime rate of 77.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Elon has lower violent crime.
About Elon, NC
Elon, North Carolina, home to Elon University, is a small town in Alamance County. Its population is predominantly young due to the university's presence. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 11,585, Elon has a total crime rate of 388.4 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.