Is Houston or Port Arthur Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Port Arthur is safer than Houston (Safety Score 34/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,258 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 59% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Port Arthur has a 64% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 41.9x 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
Port Arthur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Port Arthur, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Port Arthur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,258.3 | +3,183.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 718.5 | +429.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 10.8 | +3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 68.6 | +4.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 108.3 | +165.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 530.7 | +256.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,539.8 | +2,753.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 415.2 | +229.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 913.4 | +2,032.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 211.2 | +491.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Port Arthur safer?
Port Arthur is safer with a total crime rate of 2,258 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Port Arthur has 718.5. Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur, TX
Port Arthur, Texas, a Gulf Coast city, saw its oil industry boom with the Lucas Gusher at Spindletop. Situated in Jefferson County, it's part of the Golden Triangle urban area. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 55,397, Port Arthur has a total crime rate of 2,258.3 per 100,000 residents.