Is Garland or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Garland is safer than Houston (Safety Score 35/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,222 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 59% lower. Garland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Garland has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 9.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Garland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Garland, TX
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Garland | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,221.7 | 5,441.7 | -3,220.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 233.5 | 1,148.3 | -914.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 13.8 | -8.9 |
| Rape Rate | 26.4 | 73.0 | -46.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.5 | 274.0 | -213.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 140.9 | 787.4 | -646.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,988.2 | 4,293.5 | -2,305.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 303.3 | 644.8 | -341.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,283.6 | 2,945.7 | -1,662.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 401.2 | 703.0 | -301.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garland or Houston safer?
Garland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,222 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Garland has a violent crime rate of 233.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Garland has lower violent crime.
About Garland, TX
Garland, a large suburb northeast of Dallas, was once known as the "Watermelon Capital of the World." Its diverse population of over 240,000 makes it the 12th most populous city in Texas. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 246,255, Garland has a total crime rate of 2,221.7 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.