Is Houston or Odessa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Odessa is safer than Houston (Safety Score 36/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 60% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Odessa has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 20.0x 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
Odessa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Odessa, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Odessa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,163.1 | +3,278.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 320.6 | +827.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 3.5 | +10.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 53.4 | +19.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 38.8 | +235.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 220.6 | +566.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,842.5 | +2,451.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 219.8 | +425.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,368.5 | +1,577.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 254.2 | +448.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Odessa safer?
Odessa is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Odessa has 320.6. Odessa 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 Odessa, TX
Odessa, named after the Ukrainian city, is a West Texas hub in the Permian Basin. This arid region is a major center for oil and gas production, drawing a diverse, largely working-class population. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 116,039, Odessa has a total crime rate of 2,163.1 per 100,000 residents.