Is Houston or Southbridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Southbridge is safer than Houston (Safety Score 74/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,001 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 82% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Southbridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 126.9x 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
Southbridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Southbridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Southbridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,001.1 | +4,440.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 366.5 | +781.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 65.7 | +7.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 16.4 | +257.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 284.5 | +502.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 634.6 | +3,658.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 93.0 | +551.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 432.2 | +2,513.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 109.4 | +593.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Southbridge safer?
Southbridge is safer with a total crime rate of 1,001 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Southbridge has 366.5. Southbridge 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 Southbridge, MA
Southbridge, once a thriving mill town known for its American Optical Company, sits on the Quinebaug River in southern Worcester County. Its diverse population now navigates a landscape of historic brick buildings and new developments. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 18,280, Southbridge has a total crime rate of 1,001.1 per 100,000 residents.