Is Hattiesburg or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hattiesburg is safer than Houston (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,687 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 32% lower. Hattiesburg has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hattiesburg has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 48.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg, MS
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hattiesburg | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,686.8 | 5,441.7 | -1,754.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 221.5 | 1,148.3 | -926.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 13.8 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 39.3 | 73.0 | -33.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 274.0 | -240.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 136.6 | 787.4 | -650.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,465.3 | 4,293.5 | -828.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 370.6 | 644.8 | -274.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,873.3 | 2,945.7 | -72.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 221.5 | 703.0 | -481.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hattiesburg or Houston safer?
Hattiesburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,687 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hattiesburg has a violent crime rate of 221.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Hattiesburg has lower violent crime.
About Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 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.