Is Flagstaff or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Flagstaff is safer than Houston (Safety Score 24/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,698 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 50% lower. Flagstaff has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Flagstaff has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 30.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Flagstaff — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Flagstaff, AZ
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Flagstaff | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,697.8 | 5,441.7 | -2,743.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 465.8 | 1,148.3 | -682.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 13.8 | -7.3 |
| Rape Rate | 70.7 | 73.0 | -2.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.6 | 274.0 | -220.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 332.3 | 787.4 | -455.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,232.0 | 4,293.5 | -2,061.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 123.0 | 644.8 | -521.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,970.4 | 2,945.7 | -975.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.7 | 703.0 | -564.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flagstaff or Houston safer?
Flagstaff is safer with a total crime rate of 2,698 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Flagstaff has a violent crime rate of 465.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Flagstaff has lower violent crime.
About Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, Arizona, a city with a rich railroad history, sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet near the San Francisco Peaks. It's home to Northern Arizona University, a major employer. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 76,433, Flagstaff has a total crime rate of 2,697.8 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.