Is Houston or Needham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Needham is safer than Houston (Safety Score 85/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 87% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Needham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 70.8x 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
Needham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Needham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Needham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 698.6 | +4,743.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 51.9 | +1,096.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 12.2 | +60.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 39.7 | +747.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 646.8 | +3,646.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 73.2 | +571.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 536.9 | +2,408.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 36.6 | +666.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Needham safer?
Needham is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Needham has 51.9. Needham 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 Needham, MA
Needham, a suburban town in Norfolk County, is home to the first-ever American-made baseball. Located just west of Boston, it boasts a highly educated population and a charming town center. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 32,779, Needham has a total crime rate of 698.6 per 100,000 residents.