Is Houston or Sierra Vista Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sierra Vista is safer than Houston (Safety Score 44/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,884 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 robbery, where Sierra Vista has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 52.6x 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
Sierra Vista — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Sierra Vista, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Sierra Vista | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,883.5 | +3,558.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 219.9 | +928.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.3 | +11.5 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 20.4 | +52.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 24.9 | +249.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 170.0 | +617.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,663.7 | +2,629.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 165.5 | +479.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,418.9 | +1,526.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 79.3 | +623.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Sierra Vista safer?
Sierra Vista is safer with a total crime rate of 1,884 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 Sierra Vista has 219.9. Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista, AZ
Sierra Vista, Arizona, founded as a military post, is home to Fort Huachuca, a U.S. Army installation. This city in Cochise County sits at an elevation of over 4,600 feet, making it cooler than other Arizona cities. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 44,119, Sierra Vista has a total crime rate of 1,883.5 per 100,000 residents.