Is Houston or Radford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Radford is safer than Houston (Safety Score 70/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,115 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 80% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Radford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 133.3x 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
Radford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Radford, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Radford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,115.0 | +4,326.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 212.7 | +935.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 57.5 | +15.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 11.5 | +262.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 143.7 | +643.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 902.4 | +3,391.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 97.7 | +547.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 798.9 | +2,146.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 5.8 | +697.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Radford safer?
Radford is safer with a total crime rate of 1,115 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 80% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Radford has 212.7. Radford 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 Radford, VA
Radford, home to Radford University, is a city in the New River Valley. Its population is around 18,000, with a significant student presence. The city was once a major railway center. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 17,399, Radford has a total crime rate of 1,115.0 per 100,000 residents.