Is Houston or Tempe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tempe is safer than Houston (Safety Score 14/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,364 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 38% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tempe has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 12.1x 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
Tempe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Tempe, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Tempe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,364.1 | +2,077.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 470.3 | +678.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.6 | +11.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 71.6 | +1.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 66.4 | +207.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 329.7 | +457.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,893.8 | +1,399.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 334.4 | +310.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,257.9 | +687.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 301.5 | +401.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Tempe safer?
Tempe is safer with a total crime rate of 3,364 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Tempe has 470.3. Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ
Tempe, Arizona, home to Arizona State University's largest campus, sits in the Valley of the Sun. This vibrant city, named for the Vale of Tempe in Greece, boasts a young, educated population drawn to its urban core and outdoor recreation along Tempe Town Lake. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 191,376, Tempe has a total crime rate of 3,364.1 per 100,000 residents.