Is Houston or North Smithfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, North Smithfield is safer than Houston (Safety Score 67/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 78% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where North Smithfield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 181.2x 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
North Smithfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
North Smithfield, RI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | North Smithfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,195.7 | +4,246.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 62.5 | +1,085.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 7.8 | +65.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 7.8 | +266.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 46.9 | +740.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,133.2 | +3,160.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 31.3 | +613.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,047.2 | +1,898.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 54.7 | +648.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or North Smithfield safer?
North Smithfield is safer with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while North Smithfield has 62.5. North Smithfield 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 North Smithfield, RI
North Smithfield is a rural town in northern Rhode Island, bordering Massachusetts. Historically a mill town, it retains a quiet, residential character with a population of around 16,000. Much of its land is wooded, including portions of the George Washington Management Area. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 12,796, North Smithfield has a total crime rate of 1,195.7 per 100,000 residents.