Is Houston or Tonawanda Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tonawanda is safer than Houston (Safety Score 63/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,302 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 76% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tonawanda has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 156.4x 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
Tonawanda — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Tonawanda, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Tonawanda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,301.9 | +4,139.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 168.6 | +979.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 13.5 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 33.7 | +39.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 6.8 | +267.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 114.7 | +672.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,133.2 | +3,160.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 121.4 | +523.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 897.1 | +2,048.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 114.7 | +588.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Tonawanda safer?
Tonawanda is safer with a total crime rate of 1,302 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Tonawanda has 168.6. Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda, NY
Tonawanda, NY, a city and town in Erie County, was once a major lumber port. Situated at the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River, its population is around 50,000. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 14,825, Tonawanda has a total crime rate of 1,301.9 per 100,000 residents.