Is Houston or Lake Havasu City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Havasu City is safer than Houston (Safety Score 48/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 68% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Havasu City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 38.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Havasu City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Lake Havasu City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,751.3 | +3,690.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 357.3 | +791.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 48.4 | +24.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 13.4 | +260.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 293.8 | +493.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,394.0 | +2,899.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 233.7 | +411.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,070.2 | +1,875.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 90.2 | +612.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Lake Havasu City safer?
Lake Havasu City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Lake Havasu City has 357.3. Lake Havasu City has lower violent crime.
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.
About Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lake Havasu City, home to the London Bridge, is a desert city in Arizona's Mohave County. Its population swells with winter visitors and spring break revelers, drawn to the Colorado River and surrounding recreational lands. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 59,898, Lake Havasu City has a total crime rate of 1,751.3 per 100,000 residents.