Is Eugene or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Eugene is safer than Houston (Safety Score 12/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,574 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 34% lower. Eugene has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Eugene has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 13.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Eugene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Eugene, OR
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Eugene | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,574.1 | 5,441.7 | -1,867.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 318.4 | 1,148.3 | -829.8 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 13.8 | -12.7 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 73.0 | -27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.8 | 274.0 | -203.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.9 | 787.4 | -587.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,255.7 | 4,293.5 | -1,037.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.7 | 644.8 | -169.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,458.2 | 2,945.7 | -487.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.8 | 703.0 | -381.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eugene or Houston safer?
Eugene is safer with a total crime rate of 3,574 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Eugene has a violent crime rate of 318.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Eugene has lower violent crime.
About Eugene, OR
Eugene, Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley, is a city with a strong counter-culture legacy and a significant student population due to the University of Oregon. Its verdant surroundings are characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 178,057, Eugene has a total crime rate of 3,574.1 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.