Is Fairbanks or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fairbanks is safer than Houston (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,167 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 23% lower. Fairbanks has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairbanks has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 73.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fairbanks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairbanks, AK
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fairbanks | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,167.2 | 5,441.7 | -1,274.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.0 | 1,148.3 | -444.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.3 | 13.8 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 120.0 | 73.0 | +47.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 132.6 | 274.0 | -141.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 438.8 | 787.4 | -348.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,463.2 | 4,293.5 | -830.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.8 | 644.8 | -348.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,847.6 | 2,945.7 | -98.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 318.9 | 703.0 | -384.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairbanks or Houston safer?
Fairbanks is safer with a total crime rate of 4,167 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fairbanks has a violent crime rate of 704.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Fairbanks has lower violent crime.
About Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks, Alaska, a city founded on gold mining, sits just 190 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Its population of roughly 32,000 residents experiences extreme seasonal light variations, from near-total darkness to the midnight sun. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 31,676, Fairbanks has a total crime rate of 4,167.2 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.