Is Houston or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portland is safer than Houston (Safety Score 80/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 832 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 85% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 169.2x 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
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Portland, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 831.9 | +4,609.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 372.2 | +776.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 36.5 | +36.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 335.7 | +451.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 459.8 | +3,833.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 87.6 | +557.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 313.8 | +2,631.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 58.4 | +644.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Portland safer?
Portland is safer with a total crime rate of 832 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Portland has 372.2. Portland 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 Portland, TN
Portland, Tennessee, a small city in Sumner County, was once known as "The Strawberry Capital of the World." Situated near the Kentucky border, its population was 14,795 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 13,703, Portland has a total crime rate of 831.9 per 100,000 residents.