Is Houston or Oak Ridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oak Ridge is safer than Houston (Safety Score 54/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,567 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 71% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oak Ridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 68.1x 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
Oak Ridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Oak Ridge, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Oak Ridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,567.3 | +3,874.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 290.6 | +857.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 52.8 | +20.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 8.8 | +265.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 228.9 | +558.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,276.8 | +3,016.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 208.4 | +436.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,006.7 | +1,939.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 61.6 | +641.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Oak Ridge safer?
Oak Ridge is safer with a total crime rate of 1,567 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Oak Ridge has 290.6. Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge, TN
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Oak Ridge was a secret city vital to the Manhattan Project. Its scientific legacy endures, drawing a diverse population to this historically significant East Tennessee community. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 34,071, Oak Ridge has a total crime rate of 1,567.3 per 100,000 residents.