Is Hot Springs or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hot Springs is safer than Houston (Safety Score 4/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,703 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 14% lower. Hot Springs has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hot Springs has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 61.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hot Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hot Springs, AR
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hot Springs | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,702.5 | 5,441.7 | -739.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.5 | 1,148.3 | -608.8 |
| Murder Rate | 15.8 | 13.8 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 113.2 | 73.0 | +40.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.6 | 274.0 | -221.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 352.6 | 787.4 | -434.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,163.1 | 4,293.5 | -130.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 702.6 | 644.8 | +57.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,139.4 | 2,945.7 | +193.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.0 | 703.0 | -382.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hot Springs or Houston safer?
Hot Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 4,703 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hot Springs has a violent crime rate of 539.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Hot Springs has lower violent crime.
About Hot Springs, AR
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is renowned for its thermal waters and Bathhouse Row. Historically a resort town, its population hovers around 38,000, attracting visitors to its natural spring-fed attractions. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 38,001, Hot Springs has a total crime rate of 4,702.5 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.