Is Houston or Provo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Provo is safer than Houston (Safety Score 57/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,477 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 73% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Provo has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 20.6x 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
Provo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Provo, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Provo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,477.4 | +3,964.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 206.6 | +941.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 1.8 | +12.0 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 73.6 | -0.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 17.7 | +256.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 113.5 | +673.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,270.8 | +3,022.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 70.1 | +574.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,134.2 | +1,811.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 66.5 | +636.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Provo safer?
Provo is safer with a total crime rate of 1,477 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Provo has 206.6. Provo 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 Provo, UT
Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Range, Provo, Utah is home to Brigham Young University, a private university of significant cultural influence. Its population is predominantly young and highly educated, reflecting the university's presence. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 112,763, Provo has a total crime rate of 1,477.4 per 100,000 residents.