Is Gainesville or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gainesville is safer than Houston (Safety Score 14/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 37% lower. Gainesville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gainesville has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 15.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, FL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gainesville | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,447.8 | 5,441.7 | -1,993.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 744.1 | 1,148.3 | -404.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.8 | 13.8 | -9.0 |
| Rape Rate | 85.7 | 73.0 | +12.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 133.3 | 274.0 | -140.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 787.4 | -273.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,703.7 | 4,293.5 | -1,589.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 307.4 | 644.8 | -337.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,292.9 | 2,945.7 | -652.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.4 | 703.0 | -599.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville or Houston safer?
Gainesville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 744.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Gainesville has lower violent crime.
About Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is a central North Florida city. Its humid subtropical climate supports a diverse population of over 140,000 residents. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 147,022, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 3,447.8 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.