Is Houston or Richland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richland is safer than Houston (Safety Score 35/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,190 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 60% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Richland has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 35.8x 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
Richland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Richland, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Richland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,190.4 | +3,251.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 250.3 | +898.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 1.5 | +12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 61.8 | +11.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 32.4 | +241.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 154.5 | +632.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,940.2 | +2,353.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 233.3 | +411.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,432.0 | +1,513.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 275.0 | +428.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Richland safer?
Richland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,190 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Richland has 250.3. Richland 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 Richland, WA
Richland, a city in southeastern Washington at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers, was a key site for the Manhattan Project. Its population is around 60,000, with a notable number of engineers and scientists. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 64,736, Richland has a total crime rate of 2,190.4 per 100,000 residents.