Is Houston or Port Lavaca Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Port Lavaca is safer than Houston (Safety Score 55/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,557 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 71% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Port Lavaca has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 208.7x 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 Lavaca — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Port Lavaca, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Port Lavaca | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,556.9 | +3,884.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 297.0 | +851.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 18.0 | -4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 63.0 | +10.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 27.0 | +247.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 189.0 | +598.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,259.9 | +3,033.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 207.0 | +437.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 935.9 | +2,009.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 117.0 | +586.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Port Lavaca safer?
Port Lavaca is safer with a total crime rate of 1,557 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 Port Lavaca has 297.0. Port Lavaca 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 Lavaca, TX
Port Lavaca, a coastal city on Lavaca Bay, was founded in 1840. Its economy historically revolved around shrimping, and it remains a significant port for commercial fishing. The city is the county seat of Calhoun County, with a population just under 12,000. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 11,112, Port Lavaca has a total crime rate of 1,556.9 per 100,000 residents.