Is Houston or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richmond is safer than Houston (Safety Score 20/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,990 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 45% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Richmond has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 174.6x 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
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Richmond, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,989.7 | +2,452.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 248.5 | +899.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 52.7 | +20.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 52.7 | +221.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 143.1 | +644.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,741.2 | +1,552.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 263.6 | +381.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,409.8 | +535.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 67.8 | +635.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Richmond safer?
Richmond is safer with a total crime rate of 2,990 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Richmond has 248.5. Richmond 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 Richmond, TX
Richmond, Texas, founded in 1837 by members of Austin's Old Three Hundred, lies along the Brazos River in Fort Bend County. This Houston suburb is a diverse community experiencing rapid growth. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 13,279, Richmond has a total crime rate of 2,989.7 per 100,000 residents.