Is Greenville or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Greenville is safer than Houston (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,114 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 24% lower. Greenville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Greenville has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 31.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Greenville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Greenville, SC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Greenville | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,114.2 | 5,441.7 | -1,327.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 645.7 | 1,148.3 | -502.5 |
| Murder Rate | 9.5 | 13.8 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 30.0 | 73.0 | -43.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.0 | 274.0 | -210.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 540.8 | 787.4 | -246.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,468.4 | 4,293.5 | -825.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 303.8 | 644.8 | -341.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,858.1 | 2,945.7 | -87.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 306.5 | 703.0 | -396.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greenville or Houston safer?
Greenville is safer with a total crime rate of 4,114 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Greenville has a violent crime rate of 645.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Greenville has lower violent crime.
About Greenville, SC
Greenville, a city in the Upstate region, boasts a revitalized downtown along the Reedy River. It’s known for its textile industry heritage and a growing population of over 70,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 73,405, Greenville has a total crime rate of 4,114.2 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.