Is Houston or West Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Springfield is safer than Houston (Safety Score 12/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,588 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 34% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Springfield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 80.3x 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
West Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
West Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | West Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,588.5 | +1,853.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 415.3 | +733.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 55.4 | +17.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 45.0 | +229.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 314.9 | +472.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,173.2 | +1,120.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 256.1 | +388.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,612.6 | +333.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 304.5 | +398.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or West Springfield safer?
West Springfield is safer with a total crime rate of 3,588 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while West Springfield has 415.3. West Springfield 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 West Springfield, MA
West Springfield, home to the annual Big E fair, sits on the western bank of the Connecticut River. This Hampden County town has a population of over 28,000, with notable Portuguese and Latino communities. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 28,898, West Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,588.5 per 100,000 residents.