Is Franklin or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Franklin is safer than Houston (Safety Score 96/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 383 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 93% lower. Franklin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Franklin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 68.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Franklin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Franklin, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Franklin | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 382.6 | 5,441.7 | -5,059.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 94.9 | 1,148.3 | -1,053.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 3.0 | 73.0 | -70.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 3.0 | 274.0 | -271.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 89.0 | 787.4 | -698.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 287.7 | 4,293.5 | -4,005.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 41.5 | 644.8 | -603.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 213.6 | 2,945.7 | -2,732.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 32.6 | 703.0 | -670.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin or Houston safer?
Franklin is safer with a total crime rate of 383 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 93% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Franklin has a violent crime rate of 94.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Franklin has lower violent crime.
About Franklin, MA
Franklin, Massachusetts, birthplace of Horace Mann, is a suburban town in Norfolk County with a population of over 33,000. It's home to the nation's first public library, established with a donation from Benjamin Franklin. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 33,716, Franklin has a total crime rate of 382.6 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.