Is Houston or Mcallen Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mcallen is safer than Houston (Safety Score 41/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 63% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Mcallen has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 15.7x 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
Mcallen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Mcallen, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Mcallen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,986.3 | +3,455.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 150.7 | +997.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.7 | +11.1 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 39.2 | +33.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 23.7 | +250.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 84.5 | +702.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,835.6 | +2,457.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 63.5 | +581.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,704.5 | +1,241.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 67.6 | +635.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Mcallen safer?
Mcallen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Mcallen has 150.7. Mcallen 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 Mcallen, TX
McAllen, Texas, a vibrant city in the Rio Grande Valley, thrives as a major retail and medical hub. Its subtropical climate and proximity to the Mexican border, just south of Hidalgo, have historically shaped its unique cultural identity. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 148,017, Mcallen has a total crime rate of 1,986.3 per 100,000 residents.