Is Houston or Southboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Southboro is safer than Houston (Safety Score 98/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 282 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 95% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Southboro has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 218.4x 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
Southboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Southboro, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Southboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 282.5 | +5,159.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 56.5 | +1,091.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 28.3 | +44.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 28.3 | +759.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 226.0 | +4,067.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 18.8 | +625.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 197.7 | +2,747.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 9.4 | +693.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Southboro safer?
Southboro is safer with a total crime rate of 282 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 95% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Southboro has 56.5. Southboro 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 Southboro, MA
Southborough, MA, a affluent suburb west of Boston, is home to the prestigious Fay School, the nation's oldest junior boarding school. Its leafy streets and large properties are characteristic of a wealthy New England town. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 10,620, Southboro has a total crime rate of 282.5 per 100,000 residents.