Is Houston or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portland is safer than Houston (Safety Score 74/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,000 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 82% 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 113.1x 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, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 999.7 | +4,442.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 156.1 | +992.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 63.4 | +9.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 4.9 | +269.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 87.8 | +699.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 843.7 | +3,449.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 68.3 | +576.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 731.5 | +2,214.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 43.9 | +659.1 |
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 1,000 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Portland has 156.1. 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, TX
Portland, Texas, settled in the late 1800s, is a coastal town on the La Quinta Channel of Corpus Christi Bay. Its proximity to the bay and the Gulf of Mexico influences its economy and a significant portion of its residents are employed in industrial sectors. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 20,506, Portland has a total crime rate of 999.7 per 100,000 residents.