Is Houston or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Houston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Phoenix has a 46% lower rate.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,125.4 | +2,316.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 800.0 | +348.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 8.4 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 64.3 | +8.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 181.6 | +92.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 545.3 | +242.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,325.3 | +1,968.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 317.2 | +327.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,582.1 | +1,363.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 426.0 | +277.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Phoenix 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.