Is Gaithersburg or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gaithersburg is safer than Houston (Safety Score 54/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 71% lower. Gaithersburg has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gaithersburg has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 33.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gaithersburg — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gaithersburg, MD
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gaithersburg | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,564.9 | 5,441.7 | -3,876.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 252.9 | 1,148.3 | -895.4 |
| Murder Rate | 1.4 | 13.8 | -12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 28.7 | 73.0 | -44.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.7 | 274.0 | -209.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 158.1 | 787.4 | -629.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,312.0 | 4,293.5 | -2,981.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 150.9 | 644.8 | -493.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,023.1 | 2,945.7 | -1,922.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.0 | 703.0 | -565.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaithersburg or Houston safer?
Gaithersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gaithersburg has a violent crime rate of 252.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Gaithersburg has lower violent crime.
About Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg, a diverse city in Montgomery County, boasts a rich agricultural past, evidenced by its annual county fair. Situated along the I-270 technology corridor, it's a bustling hub with a significant immigrant population. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 69,590, Gaithersburg has a total crime rate of 1,564.9 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.