Is Fort Worth or Waco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waco is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 27/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,552 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 19% lower. Fort Worth has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Waco has a 26% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 6.8x 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
Waco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth, TX
Waco, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Worth | Waco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,158.5 | 2,552.1 | +606.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 458.7 | 425.9 | +32.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 5.5 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 55.2 | 90.9 | -35.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.6 | 57.4 | +15.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 323.1 | 272.1 | +51.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,699.8 | 2,126.2 | +573.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 344.6 | 294.7 | +49.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.9 | 1,626.4 | +215.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 513.4 | 205.1 | +308.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or Waco safer?
Waco is safer with a total crime rate of 2,552 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Worth has a violent crime rate of 458.7 per 100K while Waco has 425.9. Waco 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 Waco, TX
Waco, Texas, bisected by the Brazos River, is a Central Texas city with a diverse population of around 140,000. Home to Baylor University, it blends academic life with a rich history, including its past as a major cotton producer. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 146,270, Waco has a total crime rate of 2,552.1 per 100,000 residents.