Is Gadsden or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gadsden is safer than Houston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 42% lower. Gadsden has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Gadsden has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 70.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gadsden — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gadsden, AL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gadsden | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,159.2 | 5,441.7 | -2,282.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 581.6 | 1,148.3 | -566.7 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 13.8 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 12.1 | 73.0 | -60.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 48.5 | 274.0 | -225.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 508.9 | 787.4 | -278.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,577.6 | 4,293.5 | -1,715.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 293.8 | 644.8 | -351.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,065.7 | 2,945.7 | -880.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.1 | 703.0 | -484.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gadsden or Houston safer?
Gadsden is safer with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gadsden has a violent crime rate of 581.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Gadsden has lower violent crime.
About Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, a city in northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, sits on the Coosa River. It was a major industrial hub, home to Republic Steel, and is the county seat of Etowah County. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 33,015, Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3,159.2 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.