Is Harrisburg or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Harrisburg is safer than Houston (Safety Score 23/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,759 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 49% lower. Harrisburg has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Houston has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 46.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Harrisburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Harrisburg, PA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Harrisburg | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,758.8 | 5,441.7 | -2,682.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 766.2 | 1,148.3 | -382.0 |
| Murder Rate | 30.0 | 13.8 | +16.2 |
| Rape Rate | 54.0 | 73.0 | -19.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 164.1 | 274.0 | -110.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 787.4 | -273.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,992.6 | 4,293.5 | -2,300.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 334.1 | 644.8 | -310.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,172.4 | 2,945.7 | -1,773.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 486.2 | 703.0 | -216.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harrisburg or Houston safer?
Harrisburg is safer with a total crime rate of 2,759 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Harrisburg has a violent crime rate of 766.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Harrisburg has lower violent crime.
About Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, sits along the Susquehanna River in the state's south-central region. Known for its historic State Capitol Building, it's a diverse city with a significant government employment sector. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 49,985, Harrisburg has a total crime rate of 2,758.8 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.