Is Fargo or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fargo is safer than Houston (Safety Score 7/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,195 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 23% lower. Fargo has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fargo has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 17.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fargo, ND
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fargo | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,195.1 | 5,441.7 | -1,246.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 498.2 | 1,148.3 | -650.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 13.8 | -9.4 |
| Rape Rate | 102.5 | 73.0 | +29.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 274.0 | -196.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 314.0 | 787.4 | -473.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,696.9 | 4,293.5 | -596.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 741.4 | 644.8 | +96.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,600.9 | 2,945.7 | -344.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 354.5 | 703.0 | -348.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fargo or Houston safer?
Fargo is safer with a total crime rate of 4,195 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fargo has a violent crime rate of 498.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Fargo has lower violent crime.
About Fargo, ND
Fargo, North Dakota, a city of over 120,000, sits on the Red River of the North, forming a metropolitan area with Moorhead, Minnesota. Home to North Dakota State University, it's a regional hub for agriculture and technology. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 135,682, Fargo has a total crime rate of 4,195.1 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.