Is Fort Worth or Odessa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Odessa is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 36/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 32% lower. Fort Worth has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Odessa has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 8.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Worth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Odessa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth, TX
Odessa, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Worth | Odessa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,158.5 | 2,163.1 | +995.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 458.7 | 320.6 | +138.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 3.5 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 55.2 | 53.4 | +1.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.6 | 38.8 | +33.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 323.1 | 220.6 | +102.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,699.8 | 1,842.5 | +857.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 344.6 | 219.8 | +124.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.9 | 1,368.5 | +473.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 513.4 | 254.2 | +259.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or Odessa safer?
Odessa is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Worth has a violent crime rate of 458.7 per 100K while Odessa has 320.6. Odessa has lower violent crime.
About Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, a city where the West begins, boasts a rich cattle drive history evident in the Stockyards National Historic District. Located in North Central Texas, it's a populous city within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 997,476, Fort Worth has a total crime rate of 3,158.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Odessa, TX
Odessa, named after the Ukrainian city, is a West Texas hub in the Permian Basin. This arid region is a major center for oil and gas production, drawing a diverse, largely working-class population. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 116,039, Odessa has a total crime rate of 2,163.1 per 100,000 residents.