Is Houston or Rio Grande Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rio Grande is safer than Houston (Safety Score 43/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 65% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rio Grande has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 151.4x 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
Rio Grande — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Rio Grande, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Rio Grande | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,925.6 | +3,516.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 189.3 | +959.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 6.5 | +66.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 182.8 | +604.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,736.3 | +2,557.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 306.8 | +338.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,240.2 | +1,705.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 189.3 | +513.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Rio Grande safer?
Rio Grande is safer with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Rio Grande has 189.3. Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande, TX
Rio Grande City, Texas, a historic community founded in 1749, sits along the Rio Grande. This predominantly Hispanic city of over 15,000 residents is the county seat of Starr County. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 15,320, Rio Grande has a total crime rate of 1,925.6 per 100,000 residents.