Is Hobbs or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hobbs is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,544 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 16% lower. Hobbs has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hobbs has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 59.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hobbs — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hobbs, NM
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hobbs | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,544.3 | 5,441.7 | -897.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 792.9 | 1,148.3 | -355.4 |
| Murder Rate | 20.5 | 13.8 | +6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 66.7 | 73.0 | -6.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.3 | 274.0 | -222.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 651.8 | 787.4 | -135.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,751.4 | 4,293.5 | -542.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 869.9 | 644.8 | +225.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,512.1 | 2,945.7 | -433.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 369.5 | 703.0 | -333.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hobbs or Houston safer?
Hobbs is safer with a total crime rate of 4,544 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hobbs has a violent crime rate of 792.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Hobbs has lower violent crime.
About Hobbs, NM
Hobbs, New Mexico, a city founded on the oil industry, sits in the southeastern corner of the state, near the Texas border. It's the largest community in Lea County, with a diverse, growing population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 38,972, Hobbs has a total crime rate of 4,544.3 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.