Is Houston or Portales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portales is safer than Houston (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 33% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portales has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 197.0x 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
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Portales, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Portales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,652.7 | +1,789.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 781.5 | +366.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 8.5 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 51.0 | +22.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 42.5 | +231.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 679.6 | +107.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,871.2 | +1,422.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 1,495.1 | -850.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,070.3 | +1,875.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 305.8 | +397.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Portales safer?
Portales is safer with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Portales has 781.5. Portales 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 Portales, NM
Portales, New Mexico, a Roosevelt County seat, is known for its peanut industry and as home to Eastern New Mexico University. This small city, with a population around 12,000, sits on the High Plains near the Texas border. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 11,772, Portales has a total crime rate of 3,652.7 per 100,000 residents.