Is Houston or Lake Oswego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Oswego is safer than Houston (Safety Score 67/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,166 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 79% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Oswego has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 58.5x 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 Oswego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Lake Oswego, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Lake Oswego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,165.9 | +4,275.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 65.6 | +1,082.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.5 | +11.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 27.8 | +45.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 7.6 | +266.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 27.8 | +759.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,100.3 | +3,193.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 201.9 | +442.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 789.9 | +2,155.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 108.5 | +594.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Lake Oswego safer?
Lake Oswego is safer with a total crime rate of 1,166 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Lake Oswego has 65.6. Lake Oswego 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 Oswego, OR
Lake Oswego, a wealthy Portland suburb, was once a hub for Oregon's iron industry. Nestled around its namesake lake, the city boasts a median household income significantly higher than the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 39,627, Lake Oswego has a total crime rate of 1,165.9 per 100,000 residents.